Jamele Adams was announced as the new Assistant Dean of Student Life for the Support of Diversity Monday, replacing the Rev. Nathanial Mays who left the post last summer for a position at Lesley University in Cambridge.Before arriving here, Adams held a directorial position at the Turn 2 Foundation, a leadership organization based in New York City. His prior experience also includes administrative posts at Montclair State University in New Jersey, Kenyon College in Ohio and Ashland University in Wisconsin.

"He's the kind of guy who has always got things going on in his mind," Dean of Student Life Rick Sawyer said. "He's a very creative person."

Sawyer said the University selected Adams after an extensive national search, in which advertisements for the position were placed in scholastic administration magazines and Web sites. Sawyer said finalists were selected from a pool of applicants by a search committee lead by Assistant Dean of Student Life Lori Tenser and consisting of students, faculty and staff.

Sawyer said Adams was immediately attracted to the position.

"When he read our job posting, he felt like it had been written for him," Sawyer said.

According to Director of the Intercultural Center Susie Talukdar, Adams' "creativity and involvement in other things outside of university life made him attractive."

Adams should begin his new position by the end of the year.

"I think once he's here for a little while and sees what is unique about Brandeis and what our issues are, there is no doubt that... we would see some ideas coming out of his office," said Sawyer.