With over three decades of experience in academic, student support, and administrative roles championing inclusive excellence, Kahan Sablo, Ph.D., has been selected to serve as Adler University’s vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion. He will begin April 18.

Sablo will lead Adler’s recently established Center for Diversity and Inclusion and oversee all institutional DEI work, serving as a champion and advocate to ensure initiatives come to fruition across the University’s Chicago, Vancouver, and Online campuses. He will also steward the University’s Anti-Racism and Inclusion Plan and work closely with faculty to transform Adler’s curriculum to be inclusive.

In addition to serving as the vice president for DEI and chief diversity officer, Sablo will also be a member of the senior team and cabinet.

“Kahan brings Adler a breadth of experience developing and implementing impactful DEI strategies across large organizations,” said University President Raymond Crossman. “Serving as our chief diversity officer, he will provide vision and leadership to our DEI work, which will span every level of our institution at our Vancouver, Chicago, and Online campuses.”

Sablo joins Adler from Bard College following a nationwide search. As the dean of inclusive excellence and chief diversity officer, he partnered with faculty in support of inclusive pedagogy, offered counsel for inaugural policy and procedure development regarding racial and sexual harassment, and chaired the President’s Commission on Racial Justice and Equity. He also co-founded Out@Bard, an LGBTQ+ employee affinity group.

Prior, Sablo held DEI leadership roles at George Mason University, Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, and the State University of New York Fredonia and Canton campuses.

Throughout his career, Sablo has been an active member of several organizations. He is the president and national facilitator for Adodi, has three decades of experience as an emergency medical technician, has served as an elected school board member, and volunteered as a chairperson for the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education Chief Student Affairs Officers. A licensed minister and musician, he also provides community service, ministry, and teaching in gospel music.

Sablo completed a baccalaureate in public justice with a minor in health science and a master’s in counseling and psychological services at the State University of New York at Oswego. He earned a doctorate in administration and leadership studies at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania and is currently pursuing his master’s in social work from Fordham University.