Leon S. John, Jr., PhD, was promoted to Chief Diversity Officer effective July 1, 2023.  

Prior to joining the College as Executive Director of Diversity and Inclusion in March 2021, John served as the director of alumni engagement at East Stroudsburg University in East Stroudsburg, PA. His professional background includes diversity, equity and inclusion training, Title IX training, academic affairs, residence life, student life and enrollment services.

Prior to joining East Stroudsburg, John was the director of alumni development at Marywood University in Scranton, PA, and the assistant director of programs, unions and student activities at Penn State Scranton in Dunmore, PA.

John’s broad experience in the work of diversity, equity and inclusion includes facilitating workshops on topics such as campus microaggressions and implicit bias in the workplace and serving as a presenter or trainer on issues related to diversity, equity and inclusion in higher education as well as other industries. John has served as an advisor to multiple student organizations, including the Black Student Union, LGBTQ Ally Group and Non-Traditional Student Organization at Penn State Scranton.

John earned his Ph.D. in higher education administration from Marywood University and conducted his dissertation research on self-efficacy among students of color at predominantly white institutions of higher education. He also holds a Master of Arts in communication arts and a Bachelor of Arts in advertising/public relations, both from Marywood University.