In 2016, Jada became the first senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer at Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU)—a university with a mission is to “challenge the status quo” by increasing access to higher education for historically marginalized communities such as working adults, racial minorities, those who are low-income earners or poverty-impacted, active military personnel, and anyone who faces barriers to affordable, quality education. A licensed restorative practice trainer, certified project manager, and trained leader with the National SEED Project (Seeking Educational Equity and Diversity), Jada works with university stakeholders to advance strategic diversity and inclusion goals so that SNHU’s vision of accessible, affordable and transformative education for all can be realized.
Prior to her role at SNHU, Jada spent 25 years working in the private secondary school sector designing and supporting diversity and inclusion initiatives while also serving in leadership roles such as humanities teacher, associate dean of students, director of college advising, director of admission, dean of faculty, and assistant head of school.
With a BA in sociology from Vassar College, an MS from Columbia University School of Journalism, and an MS in industrial and organizational psychology from SNHU, Hebra draws on her lifelong passion for people and storytelling to deepen her own and others’ understanding of bias and beauty across difference.