Meet Brenda J. Allen

Professor Emerita Brenda J. Allen (Ph.D., Howard University) is the former Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Colorado Denver and the Anschutz Medical Campus.

During almost 30 years in the University of Colorado system, Dr. Allen developed a track record for scholarship, teaching, service, mentorship, and training related to organizational communication, social identity, and leadership, with an emphasis on higher education. Among her numerous publications is a groundbreaking book entitled Difference Matters: Communicating Social Identity (2011, Waveland Press).

She’s working on the 3rd edition. She offers highly-rated workshops, consultations, facilitations, and keynote speeches on topics such as inclusive leadership, anti-racism, strategic planning, and diversity recruitment/retention practices.  

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Among many accolades for her efforts, Dr. Allen has received: the first Annual Award for Outstanding Achievement for Commitment to Diversity at CU Denver; the MRBES Women in Leadership and Management Award; the first Annual Ally of the Year Award from the GLBT Alliance at CU Boulder; an Excellence in Leadership Award from the CU System; and, a Leadership in Public Higher Education Award. Her colleagues at CU Denver have established a leadership award and scholarship in her name.