Rich A. Salas

Rich A. Salas, Ph.D., joined Des Moines University as multicultural affairs director in 2012 and was named chief diversity officer in 2018. He provides students, faculty and staff with training in the area of cultural competency and humility; works to embed diversity, equity and inclusion in the University curriculum; and supports collaboration with community groups, other universities and businesses. He also is assistant professor for behavioral medicine, medical humanities and bioethics.

Prior to his role at DMU, he was the associate director of El Centro Student Services and Greek Life at Colorado State University.

A member of the board of the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE), Dr. Salas was instrumental in the creation of a Health Professions Chapter within the association. He is among a handful of individuals who have completed levels I, II and III of the intercultural awareness training offered through the Rocky Mountain Intercultural Institute. He is certified as a master level facilitator of the Diversity Health Series developed by Kaiser Permanente. He regularly facilitates cultural competency trainings and workshops for several school districts, community-based organizations and enterprises in the private sector. He also serves as a human rights commissioner for West Des Moines.

Dr. Salas earned his master’s degree in human resources and his Ph.D. in educational leadership at Colorado State University.