Updated as of March 28, 2022 at 9:59 p.m. to include additional video.
In just a few months, Jonathan McElderry will join Elon University as the new dean of inclusive excellence — a role responsible for leading student-centered initiatives and advancing the inclusive goals in the Boldly Elon strategic plan. Coming from just down the road at Wake Forest University, McElderry currently serves as the school’s assistant dean of students and executive director of the school’s Intercultural Center.
While he is set to begin full time July 5, it won’t be his first time connecting with the campus. McElderry has been acquainted with Elon since 2016, serving as guest lecturers for courses and participating in leadership conferences hosted by the university, including past Intersect leadership and diversity conferences.
“I just kept coming back,” McElderry said. “Something just kept drawing me back to Elon. I really enjoyed engaging with the students, the students really seem to be really loving their experience there.”
McElderry’s experience in higher education comes from a number of places — Wake Forest University, University of Missouri, ACPA-College Student Educators International, Journal of African American Males in Higher Education, the LeaderShape Institute and more. While the wide variety of experiences has taught him many things, there’s one definite perspective McElderry will take with him to Elon: understanding that each university, program and department works in its own way.
“For me, it's taking time to review data, both qualitative and quantitative. I want to see the numbers. But I also want to hear from students, faculty and staff about their experience,” McElderry said. “I know for my first couple of months, I want to take the time to learn and figure out the nuances of Elon, and then I will be able to jump right in with lots of ideas and different ways to engage.”
According to Randy Williams, vice president and associate provost for inclusive excellence, the search committee identified three qualified finalists for the role, and “each one was exceptional in their own way.” But it was McElderry’s record of generating student success and his aspirations to produce greater outcomes that aligned with Elon's priorities in inclusive excellence.
The search began in November 2021, Williams said, and the announcement was made in mid-March. Though search timelines vary and there is no standard length because of factors like level of a position, timing in the year and scheduling search participants, Williams said the university was fortunate to have had an efficient and successful search.
“The Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence position is an attractive one that clearly demonstrates how it fits into Elon's overall efforts toward creating a thriving community for all members,” Williams wrote in a statement to Elon News Network.
McElderry’s role will also include him working closely with Willams, joining the leadership teams for Student Life and Inclusive Excellence.
“His familiarity with Elon indicates an understanding of our efforts and how he can contribute to them,” Williams wrote. “He will work in solidarity with students and colleagues to create a community where people strive to dismantle oppression and where individuals flourish.”
McElderry said one of the main attractions to the role was the Boldy Elon strategic plan, where he will mainly focus on “Thrive,” which outlines building a healthier and more diverse, equitable and inclusive community.
“I was really excited to see inclusive excellence listed as one of the main goals,” McElderry said. “Throughout the plan, whether I was a student, a faculty, staff member or an alumni, I can see how I fit into the strategic plan for the institution.”
As a student on the search committee, senior Howard Chi said he learned a lot from looking at the applicant pool, especially with his interest in higher education. After speaking with McElderry, he said he’s noticed one major thing about him.
“He’s very much a project oriented person, he’s ready to create programs,” Chi said. “And I think that innovative mind was probably what attracted a lot of the students.”
McElderry’s role will also include guidance and support for the Center for Race, Ethnicity, and Diversity Education and the Gender and LGBTQIA Center. After speaking with students about their perspectives on what makes an excellent dean for inclusive excellence, Chi said he hopes McElderry will look at the meaning of inclusiveness and diversity beyond the names.
“The term inclusive and diversity inclusion at Elon is not just having departments of representation, but also having these different departments work together,” Chi said. “The CREDE and the GLC should be able to work together … and I think Dr. McElderry, should be in his position, not a glue, but someone who can facilitate the connection between these multiple departments so we can be truly diverse and inclusive.”
Besides being a facilitator for these departments and also working as a visionary, strategic and collaborative leader, McElderry said he also hopes that students at Elon will understand that he’s been in their shoes before.
“I know what it's like to show up at college and not know how to navigate and not know where to fit in,” McElderry said. “I felt like I have a lot of experience, especially as a first-generation college student.”
When he officially returns to campus in July, McElderry said he’s excited for this “natural transition,” as he’s always found his way back to the university.
“I'm ready to hit the ground running, ready to meet the students, ready to work with the faculty and staff. I'm looking forward to the summer. I truly, truly am excited.”