Sally Dickson’s Legacy Celebration

After 23 years of service to Stanford University, Sally Dickson, associate vice provost for student affairs and dean of educational resources, is retiring at the end of June. Her work on diversity and inclusion on campus has enriched the lives of countless students.

On June 16, 2015, over 200 colleagues from across the university came together to celebrate Dickson’s legacy and retirement.

Six people spoke in recognition of Dickson’s hard work and dedication: Greg Boardman, vice provost for student affairs; John Hennessy, president; Pat Jones, the Dr. Nancy Chang professor in biology; Bob Weisberg, special assistant to the provost for faculty recruitment and retention and the Edwin E. Huddleson, Jr. professor in the Law School; Faith Kazmi, associate dean and director of the Women’s Community Center; and Chris Griffith, associate vice provost for student affairs and dean of student life.

Dickson first came to Stanford in 1988 to work in student affairs at the Law School. In 1997, she joined the president and provost’s office as director of the Office for Multicultural Development and then director of campus relations. During this time she also served as an RF in two undergraduate residence halls, Lagunita West and Ujamaa, the African American theme house.

Duke University lured her away to be vice president of institutional equity for several years, but she returned to the Farm in 2003 when she accepted the position of associate vice provost for faculty development and associate dean of humanities and sciences. Dickson began her current role as associate vice provost for student affairs and dean of educational resources in 2007.

She has also served as advisor to the president on campus life and has been a lecturer at the Law School, in the political science department and in Comparative Studies in Race and Ethnicity. In 2012 she received the Cuthbertson Award in recognition of her exceptional contributions to the university.

Sally Dickson’s legacy at Stanford University is one of community-building and engagement. Student Affairs has created the Sally Dickson Annual Lecture Series on Diversity, Inclusion, and Reflection in her honor.