Established in 2013, AU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) aims to provide strategic direction and guidance to the university community's commitment to inclusive excellence.

Over the course of its seven-year history at AU, ODI has gone through several changes, not the least of which were three major changes in office leadership. Augusta University created an inaugural Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) in 2015. 

Purpose: ODI helps units campus-wide foster practices that optimize the contributions of groups and individuals by supporting the engagement and development of all faculty, staff, students and patients.

Mission: AU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI) aims to provide strategic direction and guidance to the university community as it relates to diversity and inclusion. In addition, ODI strives to provide institutional leadership focused on enhancing and maintaining inclusive excellence in learning, teaching, research and service at the Augusta University. 

Vision Statement: Diversity and Inclusion will build, align and coordinate diversity efforts as a strategic approach that contributes to organizational goals and business performance. In addition, ODI aspires to create a campus climate that affirms diverse identities and experiences, fosters value and respect of all community members, and celebrates differences.

Contact Us

Office of Diversity and Inclusion

Health Sciences Campus

G. Lombard Kelly Building

AA-172

706-721-9265

706-446-0276

ODI@augusta.edu

About Our Team

Garrett Green PhotoDr. Garrett Green
Chief Diversity Officer

(he/him/his)
phone icon 706-721-9272
envelope-o icon gagreen@augusta.edu

Dr. Garrett Green is the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and an adjunct professor in the College of Education & Human Development at Augusta University. In his role as CDO, Dr. Green works closely with university leadership in developing strategies to build and preserve a campus culture that promotes the values of inclusivity, compassion, collegiality, excellence, integrity and leadership. Dr. Green received his Doctorate in Education from Augusta University. He has served as a Co-Champion for the interwoven theme of diversity and inclusion for our university strategic plan, "Creating a Legacy Like No Other.” He also has helped lead the institution’s African American Male Initiative Program (AAMI) and launched the Multicultural Mentorship Program (MMP). He previously served as the Director of the Office of Multicultural Student Engagement (MSE) in the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs. As a practitioner and scholar, he has worked nearly 10 years to ensure that all individuals regardless of ethnicity, sex or socio-economic status have equitable access to knowledge, community and resources.

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Vacant
ODI Learning & Development Coordinator

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dr. Sonia Sharmin PhotoDr. Sonia Sharmin
Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative (FIEI) Program Manager

(she/her/hers)
phone icon 706-721-9265
envelope-o icon sosharmin@augusta.edu

Dr. Sonia Sharmin is the Faculty Inclusive Excellence Initiative (FIEI) Program Manager for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. She has more than 17 years of experience teaching English, academic writing, and education courses in both Bangladesh and the U.S. to university and secondary school students who differ in ethnicity, cultural background, primary language, and academic preparation. She holds a B.A. (Hons.) in English, and an MA in English Literature from the University of Dhaka, Bangladesh where she is from. She came to the U.S. as a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant at the University of Georgia in 2011 and returned to UGA in 2013, completing her Ph.D. in Language and Literacy Education in 2018. Her Ph.D. research focused on digital writing practices of underrepresented minority high school students and how they used social media to assimilate culturally with their American peers. As a boundary crosser, Dr. Sharmin has faced challenges as an underrepresented minority both as a student and as a teacher. She is dedicated to nurturing an inclusive culture in the campus community.

Jashawn Boles photo

Jashawn Boles
ODI Assistant

(he/him/his)
phone icon 706-721-9265
envelope-o icon lboles@augusta.edu

Mr. Jashawn Boles is the Administrative Assistant for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). Jashawn is from Oxford, Mississippi and has been a resident of Augusta, Georgia since 2019. He currently attends Savannah State University where he majors in Business Management with a minor in Urban Planning & Development. Prior to joining Augusta University, Jashawn worked with the City of Augusta as an Executive Assistant for the Housing and Community Development Department. As the Administrative Assistant, Jashawn will work to provide support to the ODI staff as we provide support to the faculty, staff, and students on campus. He looks forward to working alongside the ODI team to provide support and resources for the faculty, staff, and students of AU.