Two new staff members are starting roles in the American University Office of Inclusive Excellence (OIE), according to an email from Nkenge Friday, vice president of inclusive excellence, sent on Tuesday, Oct. 21.
The email announced the appointment of Kristi Harris as the new Interim Assistant Vice President of Equity and Title IX Coordinator and Zaibis Muñoz-Isme as the new Assistant Vice President of Inclusive Leadership and Learning.
Harris comes to AU with 20-years of professional experience, most recently working as a chief attorney for the United States Department of Education's Office of Civil Rights. In this position she edited the work for more than 30 civil rights attorneys and investigators who conducted Title IX related investigations.
In her new role at the University, Harris will oversee the Equity and Title IX Department, provide strategic direction and assist in oversight of AU’s discrimination and Non-Title IX Sexual Misconduct policy and the Title IX sexual harassment policy.
Leslie T. Annexstein, who was previously appointed to the role in 2020, departed from the University in April 2025, according to her LinkedIn. Her reason for leaving remains undisclosed.
The second addition to the OIE staff is Zaibis Muñoz-Isme, taking on the new role of assistant vice president of inclusive leadership and learning.
“With over 15 years of transformative leadership advancing inclusive excellence, Zaibis Muñoz-Isme has steered institutions through moments of crisis and change with vision and resolve,” Friday wrote.
Muñoz-Isme previously worked at Hofstra University in their Student Enrollment, Engagement, and Success division. There, she served as assistant vice president of student affairs and led the merger of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. Muñoz-Isme created stronger, more equitable outcomes for the entire student body, Friday wrote.
In her role as assistant vice president of inclusive leadership and learning, Muñoz-Isme will “lead strategic, campus-wide initiatives in leadership development and inclusive learning and drive climate education and action,” Friday wrote.
Both Harris and Muñoz-Isme are stepping into their new roles effective immediately.
This article was edited by Samantha Skolnick, Abigail Hatting and Walker Whalen. Copy editing done by Sabine Kanter-Huchting and Ryan Sieve.
