Campus Colleagues: Vessela Vassileva-Clarke
UM-Dearborn’s director of research development talks about what’s driving the university’s burgeoning research culture and why she almost became a diplomat....
With umbrella in one hand and a box in another, new Office for Institutional Equity Director Pam Heatlie momentarily wondered how she was going to open the building door.
“It was raining quite hard on my first day, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to balance everything while trying to open the door. But I didn’t have to think about it long. Someone opened the door for me and then walked me to my office. Just as an act of kindness,” Heatlie said. “I knew of the welcoming campus atmosphere before my hire, but to experience it personally on the beginning of my first day showed me what a really special place this is.”
On Oct. 15, Heatlie began her campus role, in which she’ll lead OIE in upholding a nondiscriminatory and harassment-free learning, research and work environment.
Most recently, Heatlie was UM-Ann Arbor’s associate vice provost for academic and faculty affairs, senior director for institutional equity and Title IX coordinator. She worked on the Ann Arbor campus for almost 14 years. Prior to joining the university, she was senior assistant general counsel at Oakland University, associate general counsel for the University of Vermont and an attorney at Michigan State University.
Heatlie, a first-generation college student, earned her undergraduate degree from Wayne State University and her law degree at the U-M Law School.
Coming to campus with an already deep understanding of the institutional practices and legal knowledge, Heatlie will guide OIE in providing educational programming; sharing resources on inclusion issues, particularly discrimination and discriminatory harassment; and investigating discrimination and discriminatory harassment concerns in a fair and effective manner.
“It’s important to have an environment where people feel welcome and respected so they can concentrate on being successful in their goals and reaching their potential,” she said.
Heatlie said her commitment to inclusion is personal. And she wants anyone whose goal is to earn a degree to have the opportunity to do so.
“Growing up, I wasn’t someone who would naturally have had the opportunity to go to college. I worked while I was in school and commuted,” she said. “I was given an opportunity and I am so appreciative for that. I want everyone to have a college education who wants it for themselves.”
