Pamela McKelvin-Jefferson serves as the inaugural Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. Pamela was previously the Director of
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Columbia Business School, where she also inaugurated the role. In
addition, she has been at the forefront of DEI work at Columbia University, serving on University-wide
committees and working groups, focused on sharing resources, driving institutional change, and
promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion.


While at the Business School, Pamela McKelvin-Jefferson provided administrative leadership to
advance DEI initiatives for the staff , alums, and broader community, focusing on creating various
strategic partnerships to promote a diverse and inclusive school. McKelvin-Jefferson also previously
managed a portfolio of programs that served underrepresented and marginalized communities at CBS
Executive Education.


Prior to Columbia University, Pamela developed programming centered around multicultural and
social justice education at New York University and community organizations in Harlem and the South
Bronx.


McKelvin-Jefferson is also the co-founder of a faith-based non-profit that provides free counseling, job
training, and college access preparation to people in need. She also sits on the board of Her Village
Inc., a NYC-based non-profit that empowers mothers and trauma survivors. Pamela earned her
bachelor’s degree in Sociology, as well as her master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and
Student Affairs, from NYU.