04/18/2023
By Joe Hartman

I am pleased to announce that Mahdi Garelnabi, associate professor of Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, has been appointed as the Director of the ADVANCE Office for Faculty Equity, following a campus-wide search. 

Garelnabi has a strong history of leadership in the areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in his professional organization, and he is excited to forward this work at UML through the ADVANCE office. Mahdi will join a dedicated team of faculty leaders. 

"I am committed to working with the university leadership and faculty to ensure that our university working environment is fair, equitable, and inclusive for all faculty members," he says.

Mahdi's appointment follows the retirement of founding Director Meg Bond, professor of Psychology and director of the Center for Women and Work. Meg's career at UML has been characterized by her dedication to advancing equity and building community on campus, and she is excited about the appointment of her successor.

"He brings tremendous DEI-related experience that will allow him to build upon past OFE successes while also crafting new innovative approaches to the challenge of promoting faculty equity," she said. I would like to thank Meg for her dedicated service and look forward to working with Mahdi.