Margo Foreman has been selected as the new director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, President Steven Leath announced in an email to students Thursday morning.

The announcement follows a national search that included four finalists, all of whom visited campus and took part in open forums with students.

Foreman currently serves as the associate director of the Office of Equal Opportunity at Indiana University-Purdue University. 

“The university mission fits inside my own personal mission, my career ideals about making the world around me a better place,” Foreman said. “I fell in love with the idea of being a member of an organization where I can practice, grow and help to create positive changes. I believe Iowa State University is the organization and community where I can make that happen.”

She has held her current role in Indiana since 2015 but has worked in the office since 1999, starting as executive secretary to the director. Foreman also held the positions of equal opportunity specialist and assistant director of diverse workforce recruitment and retention in the office.

“Ms. Foreman is highly regarded for her unwavering commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion,” Leath wrote in his email. “Her experience and credentials will be an asset to the university as we strive to create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe environment for everyone.”

She was also an adjunct faculty member in the university’s school of engineering and technology and school of public health. 

Foreman earned a bachelor’s degree in general studies with a concentration in social behavior science and a master’s degree in public health, both from IUPUI. She earned dual associate degrees in business administration and computer technology from Kent State University as well.

As director of the Office of Equal Opportunity, Foreman will manage equal opportunity, affirmative action, discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct programs, including ensuring university compliance with laws and regulations and investigating and resolving complaints. She will also serve as the Iowa State’s Title IX coordinator.

Mary Sirna, administrative adviser for ISU Police, has been serving as interim equal opportunity director since October. Foreman will take over on April 25.