Regina Richards, PhD, MSW, has over 20 years of experience in academia as a business professional, educator, social worker, and diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) thought leader in the triplex systems of the CU School of Medicine, Children’s Hospital Colorado and CU Medicine (formerly UPI).

As vice chancellor of the Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Community Engagement (ODEICE) for the CU Anschutz Medical Campus, Dr. Richards is leading a team to develop campuswide DEI initiatives, which include key performance indicators as a system of accountability. She has created the Chancellor’s DEICE Leadership Council utilizing the practice of shared governance in decision-making for this committee, engaged in partnerships with campus leaders and key stakeholder groups to strengthen guidelines for lactation practices and gender-neutral bathrooms on our campus, as well as engages in partnerships with local nonprofit organizations and efforts to strengthen trusted ties with community stakeholders and constituents.

Previous to her current appointment, Dr. Richards was the inaugural director of the Office of Diversity and Inclusion at the CU School of Medicine. The DEI work there included creating and developing programming, policies, education and trainings, and processes that span from the student pipeline to community engagement endeavors.

Her partnerships across the CU School of Medicine over the past 12 years has assisted in consistently diversifying and retaining highly qualified students, faculty, staff and trainees, who are also from very diverse backgrounds. When asked: what drove you to the medical profession and your specific specialty, her response is: “The hope that access to quality healthcare and high-quality education someday becomes a 'basic human right for ALL. The CU Anschutz Medical Campus is transformative, and through developing relationships and partnerships afforded the privilege and opportunities to align my profession with the overall mission of our campus.”   #THISISBREAKTHROUGH!

While in her role as director of the CU School of Medicine Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Dr. Richards co-authored with Dr. Steven Lowenstein the 2015 CU School of Medicine Diversity Plan, which outlined 104 recommendations that focused on creating programs, policies, practices and process in the mission-focused areas of education, clinical care, research and community engagement. A recent audit of the completion of those recommendations resulted in 94 of 104 recommendations being completed with measurable data to support those findings. This demonstrates the impact of partnership, supportive leadership and collaboration. “Human capital is one of our greatest assets."

Regina received her doctoral degree in social work and higher education from Colorado State University, a master’s degree in social work with a concentration in community and leadership development from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and her bachelor’s degree in business administration from University of Phoenix.

Regina loves spending time with family and friends, good food and good music especially live performances/concerts, and retail therapy. She has two adult children: Michael II and Dominique (with her now deceased spouse of 33 years, Michael). She is proud to say, “I look forward to continuing my happy fulfilled life, and the future with fiancé Derrick Jeffries."