Dr. Dereck Rovaris serves as Chief Diversity Officer for the University and is responsible for the University’s diversity initiatives. Rovaris, an education consultant, has been widely published and has served as a featured speaker on the local, national, and international level. He holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kansas with majors in human development and family life, psychology and crime and delinquency studies. He has a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Xavier University of Louisiana and a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Illinois.

Dr. Rovaris serves as the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) and senior administrator responsible for the oversight of LSU diversity and outreach efforts including administrative oversight of Office of Diversity (OoD) reporting units, provides vision and executive leadership for inclusive excellence at LSU, and represents the university in promoting the diversity leadership agenda locally, regionally and nationally.