Leslie Bleichner ’07

Leslie Bleichner (she/her/hers) is the Assistant Chief Diversity Officer: Community Training, Education, and Belonging, as of April 2022. She is charged with implementing intercultural programming and providing educational training to the campus with a focus on improving the lived experiences of community members with underrepresented and historically marginalized identities. From her personal and professional experiences in leading diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, developing and facilitating DEI educational offerings, Leslie will coordinate campus-wide culturally informed programming in support of an inclusive community in which all feel a sense of belonging. Her work is grounded in two central tenets: putting people in positions to make powerful decisions about their future and ensuring that folks can be 100% their authentic selves 100% of the time.

Leslie graduated from Grinnell College in 2007 with a BA in Sociology. She also holds an MA in Organizational Communication and Multicultural Communication, with a Training and Development specialization from DePaul University. Additionally, she is a Gallup-Certified CliftonStrengths Coach. She has held a variety of positions in the field of education and the DEI space, including teaching high school history at The Governor’s Academy; serving as a trainer and campus liaison for the Posse Foundation; coordinating communications and conducting diversity and equity training for Teach For America-Oklahoma; and leading diversity, equity, and inclusion and student life efforts at Lake Forest College, Grinnell College, and Oklahoma City University School of Law. Immediately prior to joining the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Leslie served as the Lawrence S. Pidgeon Director, Education Professions Career Community in the Center for Careers, Life, and Service.