The portfolio of the Vice-Provost, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism at Memorial University is led by Dr. Delores V. Mullings, vice-provost, and supported at this time by four full-time staff members.

Dr. Delores V. Mullings

Dr. Mullings is a member of a large extended family, the mother of two living Black queens, sister, friend and second daughter of Maddah Mullings, her original feminist. She is a full professor, former Interim Associate Dean Undergraduate Programs and Chair in Teaching and Learning at Memorial University, School of Social Work. She is also Memorial University’s inaugural Vice-Provost Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, and the first Black person and only Black woman to hold a senior administrative position at the university. She has demonstrated subject matter expertise in human rights, decoloniality, racial justice and equity leadership in community-based organizations and academic institutions. Her leadership is transformational, collaborative and dedicated to capacity building.

Her interdisciplinary scholarship explores decolonizing post-secondary education, mothering, mental health and wellness, LGBTQ+ concerns, the Black Church, elders, migration and community engagement using critical pedagogies, in particular, anti-Black racism, Africentric theory and critical race theory. Her extraordinary student mentorship has been recognized provincially, nationally and university wide through the President’s Award for Outstanding Teaching (Faculty), YWCA Women of Distinction Award (Education and Mentorship) and 100 Accomplished Black Canadian Women Honoree. Dr. Mullings currently provides unpaid expert contribution to various national and provincial associations and institutions.

Dr. Mullings’ current research includes improving COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake among Black Canadians, Black youth mental health after COVID-19, community inclusion in small urban centres, and anti-Black racism in academic institutions. She is the lead editor on Africentric Social Work (Fernwood, 2021) and Black People’s Resilience During COVID-19 (Demeter, 2023). More recently, she has been focused on using a racial justice lens to explore equity, diversity, inclusion and anti-racism, specifically in relation to accessibility and systemic discrimination.

Cherry Ralhan-Khanna

Cherry Ralhan-Khanna began as the program manager for the Office of the Vice-Provost, EDI-AR, in May 2022. This role is her latest in her 15-year career with Memorial University, which has focused on sharing her passion for the university, in particular with prospective students. Prior to her current role she worked with the Office of Public Engagement and the Office of Student Recruitment, but Ms. Ralhan-Khanna has been actively involved at Memorial since she came to the university as an international student from India. For example, she worked as a MUCEP student with the Blundon Centre, volunteered as orientation leader for international students, and was one of Memorial's first student ambassadors. Ms. Ralhan-Khanna completed a Bachelor of Commerce, Human Resources and Recruitment through Memorial University and a Master Certificate in Project Management through York University. In addition to her work with Memorial, Ms. Ralhan-Khanna loves to garden and spend time with her children, and volunteers with Scouts Canada in St. John’s, Feildians Athletics and school activities.

Terri Coles

Terri Coles began as the communications and marketing advisor for the EDI-AR portfolio in March 2023. This role is the latest in her four-year career with Memorial University, where she has also worked with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Faculty of Medicine. Ms. Coles completed a Bachelor of Arts, Media, Information and Technoculture from Western University and a Master of Journalism, Print from Western University, and is a current Master of Arts, Political Science student at Memorial University. In addition to her work with Memorial, she covers technology as a freelance writer and editor.