Atiera L. Coleman, PhD

Dr. Atiera Coleman (she/her/hers) is the Chief Equity Officer for the State of Illinois. She was appointed by Governor JB Pritzker in July 2023. Dr. Coleman is a transformative leader who has made significant contributions to the field of equity and inclusion. She has a diverse background in assessment and evaluation work, grant writing, research methodology, and teaching. She is a skilled facilitator and presenter, and she has spoken nationally on equity initiatives in higher education. Prior to joining the Governor's administration, Dr. Coleman served as the Equity Manager of Rock County, Wisconsin, where she worked to ensure that all individuals served by the county had equal and unbiased access to services. She also served as the Associate Dean of Student Success, Equity, and Community at Beloit College, where she oversaw the college's federally funded TRIO programs and led the Anti-Racism Liaison team. Dr. Coleman earned her doctorate in sociology from the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She is committed to creating a more just and equitable society.