Charu Thakral, Ph.D.

Charu is the Executive Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity in the Office of Diversity, Equity & Engagement. Dr. Thakral has been engaged in many efforts advancing diversity, equity, and access at UIC primarily supporting UIC’s Diversity Strategic Thinking and Planning (DSTP) process and providing leadership in the development and implementation of dialogue-based educational opportunities through the oversight of the UIC Dialogue Initiative. Dr. Thakral earned her doctorate in Counseling Psychology with a specialization in Multicultural Theory and Competence from Loyola University, Chicago. Her extensive clinical, research, teaching, and program development experiences with individuals across the lifespan have primarily been guided by her commitment to diversity and social justice. She grew up in the Chicago suburbs and spends much of her weekends enjoying time with her little boy and family. Dialogue is important to her given its ability to transform climate in a way that embodies principles of access, equity, and inclusion.