For Immediate Release: 01/05/2021
For further information, contact:
Kelly McFalls
kmcfalls@framinghamma.gov
Tel (508) 532-5437
M (774) 285-1315
Dr. Maritsa Barros, Advocate for Inclusivity and Diversity,
Appointed as First Chief Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer in Framingham
Framingham, MA – Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer is thrilled to announce that she has appointed Dr. Maritsa Barros as the City's first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer. Dr. Barros has worked in higher education for the last 14 years to create an inclusive campus experience for students of diverse backgrounds. She is expected to join the City of Framingham Tuesday, January 19, 2021.
Dr. Barros served as the Interim Chief Diversity Officer at Lesley University and was recently promoted to Assistant Vice President of Special Projects. In her role as the Interim Chief Diversity Officer, she worked collaboratively with the President and other campus leaders to develop frameworks that will interconnect individual initiatives and a larger strategic plan, showing how together the community can achieve broader university diversity and inclusion goals.
"Filling this position has been a long time coming," said Mayor Yvonne M. Spicer. "Dr. Barros is a remarkable candidate with a notable background who comes highly recommended. She has long been an advocate of equity, inclusion, and diversity and brings a very personal lens, as a daughter of immigrants, to view this work. Dr. Barros understands what it takes to build a welcoming and inclusive environment supported by policies and practices that truly reflect a community's diversity. Framingham is fortunate to have attracted such a talented individual to assume this role."
"I am looking forward to diving into Framingham and making a real impact for the City," said Dr. Maritsa Barros. "With my roots deeply planted in personal and professional experiences around the matters of equity, social justice, and as a long-standing, deeply invested citizen of Massachusetts and past resident of Framingham, I bring a unique set of skills and knowledge to this position."
Dr. Barros has a Doctorate of Education, a Master's Degree in College Student Development and Counseling from Northeastern University, and a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth.
This appointment is subject to review and approval by the City Council under Article II, Section 10 of the Charter, and the appointment will be a 3-year term. The Council will discuss the referral of the appointment to the Appointments Subcommittee for review and recommendation to City Council tonight per their agenda.
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