Mark Brimhall-Vargas, the current Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion will be leaving the University for a new position at Fenway Health this summer, University President Ron Liebowitz wrote in a campus-wide email on Monday, May 3. 

Brimhall-Vargas will be the first to fill this position at Fenway Health, “the pioneering LGBTQ+ health care provider and research center in Boston,” Liebowitz wrote.

Liebowitz addressed Brimhall-Vargas’ accomplishments during his time at the University. Since he joined Brandeis in 2017, Brimhall-Vargas formed the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and helped establish and shape several other related offices on campus, Liebowitz shared. These offices include: the Office of Equal Opportunity, the Ombuds, the Office of DEI Programs, Training, Education and Development, the Gender and Sexuality Center and the Intercultural Center.

Brimhall-Vargas has also been a trainer in diversity, equity and inclusion for students, staff, faculty and administrators alike, Liebowitz wrote. Moreover, in response to the “nationwide reckoning with racial injustice,” Brimhall-Vargas led the establishment of Brandeis’ Antiracism Plans, Liebowitz continued.

Liebowitz pledged that the University will continue Brimhall-Vargas’ many initiatives after his departure from the school and plans to hire a new Chief Diversity Officer and Vice President of DEI.

“Please join me in thanking [Brimhall-Vargas] for all he has done for Brandeis and wishing him the best in his new, exciting position,” Liebowitz concluded.