Inclusive Leadership Learning Cohort Session 9: DEI Frameworks and Inclusive Mentorship Programs for Academic Institutions

Gordon Govens

President

Presbyterian Pan American School

Dr. Gordon Govens is the President of the Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas. In his first year as President, he has spearheaded new diversity, equity and inclusion efforts and will reflect on the challenges and opportunities.

His diverse professional experiences and insights regarding Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are gleaned from his extensive background as a professor, senior administrator, researcher, lawyer and business development executive. He was Vice President of the Digital Media Group at Beliefnet. Before that, Gordon served as Vice President of Business Development at Major League Baseball Advanced Media (MLBAM). Gordon began his business development career at Real Networks as Senior Director of Business Development Media Programming. Prior to moving to the corporate world, Gordon was a partner at Pantaleoni, Govens and Wise. He holds a BA in Philosophy from Swarthmore College, a Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law, and his Masters of Divinity and Doctor of Philosophy from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has taught at Western Theological Seminary in Holland, MI., and been a senior research fellow at the Center for the Study of Law and Religion at Emory University.

Dr. Govens was also the co-founder of the Richard Rubin Mentor-Scholar Program a program that pairs economically disadvantaged Swarthmore College students with a professor and outside mentor. He will share his experiences as a mentee and mentor as well as his thoughts on how to shape an inclusive mentorship experience.