Rate My Professor John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas

John-Paul Chaisson-Cardenas, PhD, MSW, SHRM-SCP, earned his Doctor of Philosophy in Educational Leadership and Policy from the University of Iowa in 2022. His dissertation, titled 'Resistance and Backlash from the Perspective of PK-12 Educational Leaders Implementing LGBTQ-Inclusive Policies,' explored challenges faced by leaders in a predominantly White Midwestern state. He also holds a Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa. As Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Charter Oak State College within the CT State Community College system, Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas served as Title IX Coordinator and Chief Diversity Officer. He oversaw the college's Affirmative Action Program, including policy statements, objectives, and discrimination complaint procedures. Devoting 5% of his time to Equal Employment Opportunity functions, he managed EEO duties across Charter Oak State College, CT State, and the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system as part of the EEO team. He contributed to training sessions such as 'Managing within a Diverse Organization.'

In his broader role as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for CT State Community College, Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas led systemic DEI integration efforts starting in fall 2023. These included separating human resources from EEO to establish checks and balances, unifying twelve disparate civil rights investigation processes into one standardized procedure, and developing databases to track student and staff disability accommodations. Outward-facing initiatives encompassed nurturing campus DEI committees, launching institution-wide climate surveys to assess belonging, and partnering with local, state, national, and international entities. Key programs featured the Mosaic Fellowship to boost underrepresented group representation in leadership, revamped staff and faculty orientations with DEI focus, professional development enhancements, and international higher education collaborations for student, faculty, researcher, and cultural exchange opportunities. Previously, Dr. Chaisson-Cardenas was State 4-H Program Leader at Iowa State University Extension, advancing diversity in youth development. He co-authored '4-H: A DEI Love Story – How Positive Youth Development Became a Battleground for Democracy' (2025), detailing DEI evolution in 4-H and land-grant university ecosystems domestically and abroad. A Guatemala native and survivor of civil war, he holds SHRM-SCP certification and participated in the CSCU Equity Council.