The American Film Institute (AFI) has appointed Syreeta N. Greene, Ed.D. as its new director of diversity, equity & inclusion. Greene holds a Doctor of Education with an emphasis in education psychology and Master of Social Work with an emphasis in community organizing, planning and administration, both from the University of Southern California. Her previous roles include director of the MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center at Midwestern State University and assistant director at USC’s Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs. Greene will oversee diversity and inclusion for all of AFI’s programs.
“AFI’s community grows with the stellar addition of Syreeta Greene,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO. “As a person and as a professional, she embodies the culture we have been working toward and will catalyze change for an even stronger AFI.”
“I am excited for this unique opportunity and look forward to collaborating with the entire AFI community to develop a place and space for all who belong to the AFI family,” said Greene.
Greene is a higher education professional with 20 years of experience. She is committed to removing barriers to educational and career opportunities, as well as improving the overall engagement, success and experiences of under-represented and historically marginalized student populations. As a diversity, equity and inclusion educator, she has designed research-based curriculums on a range of diversity, equity and inclusion topics; produced guides, accompanying audio visual aids, and participant materials; and developed organization-wide assessment tools to engage stakeholders concerning organizational climate, experience and observations. Most recently, Greene was Dean, Division of Student Affairs at Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science (CDU). Founded in 1966, CDU is a minority-serving institution and a Historically Black Graduate Institute located in South Los Angeles with a student population of 900. Prior to CDU, Greene served as the director of MOSAIC Cross Cultural Center (formerly Office of Equity, Inclusion & Multicultural Affairs) at Midwestern State University, assistant director for the Transfer and Veteran Student Program at University of Southern California (USC) and assistant director at USC’s Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs. Greene has been a member of National Association of Diversity Officers of Higher Education (NADOHE) since 2016.
