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Dr. Zachary E. Shirley serves as the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Leader for Cambium Assessment, Inc. (CAI), a K–12 education assessment company. In his role, Dr. Shirley oversees all efforts regarding DEI for the organization, inclusive of strategic planning, training and education, reviewing assessment materials, and other related initiatives. At CAI, Dr. Shirley is charged with providing direction and support to the DEI Council, collaborating across business units and various members of the executive team and human resources, and providing support in the establishment and growth of various employee resource groups. Prior to pivoting into the EdTech industry, Dr. Shirley spent 16 years as an administrator within the field of higher education, with roles focused on fraternity and sorority life, student engagement, leadership development, diversity and inclusion initiatives, mentorship programs for marginalized populations, and student programming.
Outside of his professional roles, Dr. Shirley also volunteers with various organizations that are working to improve their policies and engagement around the membership experience of fraternity/sorority organizations, advisor and employee training/support, and DEI strategies. Dr. Shirley continues to further his education on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging through various certification programs and training opportunities.
A native and current resident of Dallas, Texas, Dr. Shirley earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Secondary Education/English from Paul Quinn College (2005), a Master of Science degree in Higher Education/Counseling from Texas A&M University-Commerce (2006), and a Doctor of Education degree in Higher Education from the University of North Texas (2014). In addition to his formal education, Dr. Shirley holds various certifications related to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Dr. Shirley is a proud member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and the Prince Hall Masons.
