Maurice D. Nelson, MEd CDE®

Maurice D. Nelson (he/him/his) is Chief Diversity Officer at Purchase College, where he provides executive leadership for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging efforts that advance institutional excellence, accountability, and access. A proud native of Savannah, Georgia, Nelson identifies as Black and Mexican, and his lived experiences continue to inform his purpose-driven, equity-centered leadership in higher education.

Nelson brings extensive experience leading DEIB strategy, organizational transformation, and civil-rights compliance. Most recently, he served as Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer at Sacred Heart University, where his portfolio encompassed culture strategy, workforce planning, employee and student engagement, organizational learning and development, and civil rights compliance. He served as a senior advisor to the President and Cabinet, leading initiatives that strengthened community, retention, and institutional accountability while overseeing discrimination and harassment response, conflict resolution, and equity-centered compliance operations. His work consistently aligned inclusive excellence with institutional risk management, operational integrity, and sustainable organizational change.

Earlier in his career, Nelson served in Multicultural Affairs at Georgia Southern University, where he co-authored the institution’s Inclusive Excellence Action Plan, facilitated campus-wide equity education, and partnered across academic and student affairs to advance student success, belonging, and well-being. His work included leadership in mentoring initiatives, suicide-prevention education as a Certified QPR Trainer, and cross-divisional collaboration to embed equity into student experience and support systems.

Deeply connected to the performing arts, Nelson brings lived experience as both an artist and advocate. He played alto and tenor saxophone from elementary school through college, participating in concert, jazz, and marching bands, and sang in concert and gospel choirs throughout high school and college. He has also trained and studied in dance, including jazz, modern, ballet, and hip hop. This artistic foundation informs his understanding of creativity, expression, and discipline, and strengthens his ability to lead equity work within an arts-centered academic community.

Nelson holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Savannah State University and a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University. He is completing a Doctor of Education in Higher Education Leadership, with anticipated defense and graduation in spring 2026. His doctoral research examines the organizational positioning and challenges of Chief Diversity Officers, further grounding his leadership in evidence-informed practice and institutional change.