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On Wednesday, Point University appointed Leonard Phillips to serve as the university’s first chief diversity officer.

In this senior-level position, Phillips will report to University President Dean Collins and will lead all of Point’s diversity initiatives. He will also leverage his relationships with churches to create a new initiative to facilitate racial unity through the church in the various communities Point serves.

“Leonard’s extensive background in the Atlanta business community and as a lay pastor in various churches makes him immensely qualified for this important role,” Collins said in a press release. “I’m confident he is the right person to lead us as we work to increase racial trust and promote racial unity at Point and in the church.”

Phillips is not new to the university, having served for two years as vice president of church and business partnerships. A native of Chicago, Phillips earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, as well as a master of arts degree in leadership and a master of divinity degree, both from Luther Rice University.

“The intentional desire to assess and focus on this key area is not new for Point, and the opportunity to make strides in this area remains both imperative and beneficial for everyone,” Phillips said. “I am humbled and grateful for this opportunity amidst the challenging times within our society, and I look forward to the various milestones and accomplishments. I truly believe that God has brought us together for such a time as this.”