By Alicia Colegrove

University of Maryland President Darryll Pines announced Thursday that Georgina Dodge, the vice president of Belonging and Community, will retire in July after seven years in the position. 

The letter also announced that Stephanie Chang, current assistant vice president for Belonging, will serve as interim vice president. 

Belonging and Community at UMD, formerly the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, is a university initiative that aims to cultivate a welcoming and equitable campus.

Dodge took over as vice president in 2019 following eight years of combined experience working in diversity at the University of Iowa and Bucknell University.

As vice president, Dodge helped implement the university’s social justice alliance with Bowie State University, according to the letter. Other initiatives Dodge is credited with growing are “Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education, TerrapinSTRONG and the Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct.”

Dodge’s retirement follows a letter of grievances sent to her and other UMD leadership by Nyumburu Cultural Center student ambassadors objecting to the premature removal of the interim director.

Dodge did not cite the letter as the reason for her retirement. 

In an email statement from Belonging and Community, Dodge said she was proud of her work at UMD and is grateful that Chang will step into the role. 

“I have loved being a part of and serving the University of Maryland community over these past years, and I am also looking forward to retirement so I can spend lots of time outdoors with my dog,” Dodge said in the email.

Featured Image: The Thomas V. Miller Jr. Administration Building on Feb. 24, 2026. Photo by Paige Trendell.

Editor’s Note: This article was last updated on April 16, 2026.

A previous version of this article misstated that Stephanie Chang will serve as the interim director of Belonging and Community. Chang will serve as interim vice president. Previous version: “The letter also announced that Stephanie Chang, current assistant vice president for Belonging, will serve as interim director.” Current version: “The letter also announced that Stephanie Chang, current assistant vice president for Belonging, will serve as interim vice president.”