Who We Are

The Office of DEI Education and Learning Initiatives staff is dedicated to social justice, fair education policies and anti-racist practices.

We believe DEI education is a continuous journey, not a single workshop or training. The power of DEI lies in our collective and conscious effort towards making ourselves better as leaders, managers, colleagues and citizens who are part of a globalized world. We strive to Brandeis University become a cultural and equity leader in higher education.

Our goal is to nurture a growth mindset that encourages everyone to adopt and engage with DEI thinking on every level. Our role is to provide the resources and pathways for every student, educator and employee to feel empowered as co-creators of an equitable environment of belonging.

Staff

Chip Mc Neal
Charles Chip Mc Neal, PhD
Director, Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Education and Learning Initiatives
781-736-8791 Berstein-Marcus 73-140
Pronouns: he/him/his

Charles Chip Mc Neal, PhD, is a former professional dancer and award-winning educator, researcher, civic leader and activist engaging in transdisciplinary practice across sectors with a focus on arts, educational equity, social justice, community engagement and cultural intelligence.

Mc Neal consults as an inclusive leadership coach, equity adviser and integrated learning specialist. He guides government agencies, businesses, school districts and universities on change management, creative collaboration, equitable policies and arts integration. Mc Neal has over 30 years of senior leadership experience, flexibly negotiating the intersection between social justice, creativity, technology and professional learning.

A pioneering leader in the field of equity, Mc Neal was the first director of diversity, equity and community for the San Francisco Opera. In that role, he led initiatives aimed at cultivating new audiences and diversifying classical arts, creating a safe working environment for all.

Mc Neal holds two bachelor’s degrees in psychology and sociology from Excelsior University and a master’s degree in education from Lesley University. He received his doctorate in transformative studies in education from California Institute for Integral Studies in San Francisco.