USF Sarasota-Manatee adds Darren Gambrell to its diversity, equity office

Samantha Gholar, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
·2 min read

Darren Gambrell, a long-time employee at the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus in north Sarasota, has been named the associate director of the school's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion office this week.

Darren Gambrell
Darren Gambrell

For nearly 20 years, Gambrell has worked at USFSM in a number of capacities — most recently serving as the associate director of student services for the campus's multicultural affairs department. Gambrell stepped into the DEI office this summer when he began serving as the interim director.

Gambrell, a veteran and former combat engineer for the Army, brings over a decade of experience in addressing issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion. On campus, he organized a series of listening tours with students, faculty, and staff in order to provide an opportunity for each to learn about challenges, share ideas, and collaborate more through DEI strategies, according to a news release.

“Darren joins our senior leadership team with an impressive history of working on DEI initiatives related to women, racial minorities, the LGBTQ+ community, and those needing help with accessibility issues,” said Sarasota-Manatee campus Regional Chancellor Karen A. Holbrook. “He has a demonstrated a deep understanding of how our diversity makes USF a positive place to study and work.”

Darren Gambrell (center) with President Rhea Law and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, interim vice president of institutional equity and senior advisor to the president and provost for diversity and inclusion at Inclusive Excellence Award ceremony in April 2022.
Darren Gambrell (center) with President Rhea Law and Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman, interim vice president of institutional equity and senior advisor to the president and provost for diversity and inclusion at Inclusive Excellence Award ceremony in April 2022.

In April 2022, Gambrell was recognized at USF's main campus in Tampa as a recipient of the Inclusive Excellence award by One USF — an annual honor that recognizes staff and community partners who reflect the university's core commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Gambrell plans to revive standing USFSM councils by promoting more representation in leadership positions as he begins his role in the DEI office. The campus's Chancellor Advisory on Diversity and Inclusion Council, with help from Gambrell, will develop relevant programs and training while also advising on policies and practices that may be needed to enhance diversity and inclusion.

"My top goal is to build on the climate here at USF Sarasota-Manatee campus, where each student, staff, faculty and community member feels valued, appreciated, respected and welcomed on campus,” Gambrell said.

USF Sarasota-Manatee campus currently serves 2,041 students. A total of more than 50,000 students are enrolled in OneUSF's three campuses in Tampa, St. Petersburg and Sarasota-Manatee. The university has earned national recognition for its success in graduating under-represented minority and limited-income students.

This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Long-time Univ. of South Florida employee Gambrell moves to DEI office