Dr. Adrienne Coleman
Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Dr. Adrienne Coleman is a dedicated and accomplished leader in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) with nearly two decades of experience fostering equity in education, social services, law enforcement, and government organizations. As the Director of Equity and Inclusion, Dr. Coleman is committed to creating a thriving, inclusive environment. She leads initiatives to identify and eliminate barriers to equity, develop strategies for recruiting and retaining a diverse community, and implement IMSA’s Equity and Excellence Plan.
A qualitative researcher with a focus on addressing systemic inequities in the STEM education-to-career pipeline, Dr. Coleman developed the D-STEM Equity Model, which promotes motivation and engagement among Black and Latino students in STEM. She also created the E²: Equity and Excellence Framework, a pathway to advance educational equity, which she presented at the Athens Institute for Education and Research and published in its journal. Her research has influenced national programs, including panels for the National Science Foundation, the University of California – Berkeley NIH Scholars Program, the American Statistical Association, and organizations such as the NAACP and the James R. Jordan Foundation.
Dr. Coleman’s achievements have been recognized through numerous awards, including the 2024 OnCon DEI Team Award, the 2021 United Nations Global Goals Award, the 2021 MAP Center Equity Innovator Award, and the 2020 Illinois State University Alumni of the Year Award. She is also a recipient of the IMSA Presidential Leadership Award, the NAACP Trailblazer in Education Award, and the Leon Lederman Scholars Award, among others.
Dr. Coleman holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership, a Doctor of Humane Letters, an M.S. in Public Health, and an M.S. in Higher Education. Her commitment to equity and inclusion is rooted in a passion for creating transformative opportunities and supporting diverse individuals to achieve excellence.
