LaKesha Alston Forbes Bio
East Carolina University

LaKesha Alston Forbes serves as Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity at East Carolina University (ECU) and oversees institutional equal opportunity compliance and diversity, equity, and inclusion priorities.  As institutional Equal Opportunity Officer, Forbes leads efforts to comply with federal and state equal opportunity and affirmative action laws and associated policies and guidelines, providing consultation and guidance to managers and employees regarding policy and process matters. In her role as Chief Diversity Officer, she advises the chancellor and senior leadership on mission-aligned diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic initiatives.

In addition to her developing collaborative alliances for transformative change with key campus partners, Forbes cultivates mutually beneficial interinstitutional partnerships to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion at ECU and beyond. Her current partnerships aim to expand access and equity for underrepresented student populations; address systemic inequities for faculty of color and women; and support collaborative research for inclusive economic regional development.

Forbes is a member of the National Association for Diversity Officers in Higher Education and the American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity. She serves on several national, local, and state diversity and inclusion boards and is a DEI consultant for the American Athletic Conference’s Racial Equity Committee.

Forbes earned a master’s degree and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from East Carolina University. When not working, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her husband, daughter, and extended family.