Equity Consultant Team (ECT)
The ECT is a cohort of faculty and staff who work to ensure that all University employment search committees provide equal opportunity to all applicants by reviewing job postings, screening rubrics, interview questions, and on-campus visit details. ECTs are required for all director or higher staff positions and all tenure-track and non-tenure-track faculty positions, but the ECT is happy to provide support to any search.
To request the ECT support your search, email equityconsultants@siue.edu or call 618-650-5640.
Meet the ECT
Dr. Kimberly Carter – Dr. Carter is Faculty in the Department of Social Work. She joins the ECT having been a member of the inaugural class of IMPACT fellows, serving as one of six Equity Advisors supporting inclusive faculty and staff hiring. Prior to her time as SIUE, she owned and operated a consulting firm dedicated to enhancing culturally responsive staffing and program structures in non-profit health and human service agencies. During her time at SIUE, she has served on a number of ADEI-focused committees and workgroups, including current membership in the College of Arts and Sciences ADEI committee, all aimed at upholding the University’s commitment to being an inclusive campus that supports diversity.
Dr. Chaya Gopalan - Dr. Chaya Gopalanis an experienced Equity Consultant, deeply committed to fostering diverse and inclusive environments. Her global perspective, shaped by her journey as a first-generation college graduate in India and her Ph.D. from the University of Glasgow, informs her effective facilitation of dialogue and initiatives across international networks. Dr. Gopalan’s strong understanding of power dynamics allows her to evaluate biases and build inclusive spaces. She utlizes data-driven analysis to achieve measurable and sustainable progress in diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Dr. Derek A. Houston – Dr. Houston is Associate Professor of Educational Administration in the Department of Educational Leadership. He is an equity and liberatory-focused scholar who has practical experiences conducting successful faculty searches that center equitable practices. Dr. Houston joined the ECT to continue helping SIUE and the SIUE community move toward more equitable and inclusive hiring practices.
Dr. Katherine Poole-Jones – Dr. Poole-Jones is Professor of Art History in the Department of Art and Design at SIUE. She joins the ECT having been a member of the inaugural class of IMPACT fellows, serving as one of six Equity Advisors supporting inclusive faculty and staff hiring and as a current member of the College of Arts and Sciences ADEI committee.
