XULA selects Baker to lead inclusion, Title IX efforts

NEW ORLEANS — Dr. Ashley R. Baker, Xavier University of Louisiana's associate director of athletics and senior woman administrator, will lead the newly created office of inclusion and social justice within the Division of Student Affairs as XULA's new chief inclusion officer and deputy Title IX coordinator.
     
Baker will serve as the lead on student diversity, equity and inclusion matters and as the primary point of contact for students with Title IX concerns. She will lead and coordinate diversity planning to foster a welcoming, inclusive environment for students as well as oversee campus ministry and veterans' affairs.
     
"I am excited about the work that Dr. Baker will do to elevate students' lives and continue to tell the story of Xavier," said Curtis Wright, XULA's vice president of student affairs. "Ashley will inspire and lead effectively as we continue to respond to the Xavier challenge of promoting a more just and humane society."
     
Baker arrived at XULA as assistant AD in March 2016 and was promoted to associate AD in February 2017. She served athletics by handling many of the internal operations functions and student-athlete welfare, and she also served as a member of the university Title IX committee as the gender equity in athletics liaison. Baker also was an adviser for the sophomore class and the XULA spirit squads.
     
Said Baker, "I move from Xavier Athletics with many wonderful memories, and I look forward to the work we will be able to do in the office of inclusion and social justice. I plan to foster a level of openness, courage and vulnerability that will enable our students and the rest of the campus to have meaningful conversations that promote best practices for equity, inclusion, access and social justice."
     
Baker, a frequent speaker on campuses across the country, is the founder of the Women in Sports Forum — a dynamic program of keynotes, panel and roundtable discussions to empower young girls and women interested in pursuing careers in sports.
    
"Ashley has been a valuable member of the athletics leadership team and will be missed greatly," said Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs / Director of Athletics & Recreation Jason Horn. "But we are thrilled that she will remain at Xavier to share her skills and expertise with a larger segment of our campus community."
     
Baker earned her Ph.D. from the University of Georgia — her dissertation research focused on black mothers' experiences throughout their sons' football recruiting process — and bachelor's and master's degrees from Bowling Green State University. Baker was a key member of Bowling Green's office of student athlete services from 2007-12.
     
XULA — a longtime member of the NAIA and the Gulf Coast Athletic Conference — will conduct a national search to fill Baker's position.

Ed Cassiere, Assistant Athletics Director for Communications
Department of Athletics & Recreation
XAVIER UNIVERSITY OF LOUISIANA 
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