Suong Ives was recently named to the new chief inclusion and human resources officer position at Clarkson University.

Ives joins Clarkson from the University of California Berkeley, where she served as director of campus shared service HR and academic personnel.

"In the past year, we re-evaluated how we address all issues related to people management and announced new initiatives to place more focus on inclusion, employee development and enhanced culture," said Clarkson President Tony Collins.

“Among a variety of responsibilities, Ives will primarily develop people-related strategies and programs that support the goals and direction of the university, and to advance diversity and inclusion in all human resources programs,” according to a press release from the college.

In her new role, Ives will also serve as the university’s primary voice on matters of equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Born and raised in Vietnam, Ives was a member of the first class of women admitted to the four-year engineering program at the Phu Tho Polytechnic University in Saigon, graduating with her bachelor of science in civil engineering. She and her four siblings arrived in the United States in 1980, after spending two years in a refugee camp.

Ives went on to earn a bachelor of arts degree in business administration from Cleveland State University and a master of arts in human resources management from San Jose State University.

She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience to her new role and, in addition to UC Berkeley, has served at organizations in human resources, talent and inclusion, such as AT&T, France Telecom, Time Warner and New York University.

Ives will replace executive director of human resources Marilyn Ardito, who announced her retirement last year.