The Appleton Area School District is proud to announce the hiring of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (DEIO). Our school communities and school culture are where we need to ensure that we are inclusive and responsive to each individual student and their unique cultural backgrounds and needs. We recommit ourselves every day to a welcoming culture for ALL by building an understanding and acceptance of differences between and among our students. This position will help to target and expand our work in this area.
Pa Lee Moua was recommended and approved for the position of Appleton Area School District’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Officer (DEIO) at a recent Board meeting. Ms. Moua is currently the Associate Dean of Students for Diversity, Administration, Higher Education at Lawrence University in Appleton. She is an Appleton North graduate and is raising her family within the Appleton Area School District.
Ms. Moua will work collaboratively with the Superintendent and Leadership Team to advise and inform District/building level administrators and staff on policies and practices related to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the school environment. Ms. Moua will serve as an advisor, bridge builder, strategic leader, and partner to support equity and inclusion for all, including historically underserved children and families. We are excited to have her join our district administration.
Prior to working at Lawrence, Ms. Moua worked as the City of Appleton’s Intercultural Relations Coordinator, Multicultural Advisor/Senior Student Services Advisor at UW-Fox Valley, and a Minority Retention Specialist at FVTC. She is very connected to our community and its many diverse organizations such as Casa Hispana, Inc., United Hmong American Association, African Heritage, Inc., and Celebrate Diversity Fox Cities. She has also provided services for other nonprofit organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club of the Fox Valley, Harbor House, the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and the Mielke Foundation. She comes highly recommended with a wealth of expertise to bring to her role.
We are continuously striving to be a more culturally responsive organization – for every child every day – in every classroom every day, in every school every day – across this district. Our administration and staff are excited to embrace and encourage inclusiveness through this new position.