Stevenson High School Hires Diversity Director

Haney

During a special board meeting Monday, Aug. 3, Stevenson High School board members approved the hiring of LeVis Haney to serve as the director of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Division at the Lincolnshire school. 

Haney will work alongside other administrators to make important decisions related to revisions of school policy and procedures. He will also advocate for students from diverse backgrounds, and collaborate with administration to recruit, hire and mentor additional faculty of color.

Additionally, he will evaluate and advise needed changes to make sure that the school’s culture promotes the values of diversity and inclusion.

According to school officials, a systemic, institutionalized change is the responsibility of every Stevenson administrator, faculty member and staff member.

Haney comes to Stevenson from Rich Township High School Dist. 227 where he has served as principal. Prior to that position, he was principal in Joseph Sears School Dist. 38 for one year and principal of Lovett Elementary School in Chicago Public Schools for six years.

Additionally, he served as the assistant principal at Spencer Technology Academy for four years, dean of students for Best Practice High School for four years, and an adjunct professor at Northern Illinois University for the past four years.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in English from Northern Illinois in 2000, and in 2006, earned his master’s degree in Educational Administration from Northern Illinois. Five years later in 2011, he earned his doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Loyola University at Chicago.

“We feel now is the time to really improve our efforts inside and outside the building to educate ourselves with equity, diversity and inclusion,” Supt. Eric Twadell said.

“I am excited and ecstatic to join the team and work with all of you wonderful people,” Haney told the board and administration. “We know there is such a tremendous amount of work to do that we all know is important work for our kids and I am thrilled to join the team.”

He is expected to start his new position Aug. 17. An annual salary has yet to be determined.