Hardy has served about 19 years as East Lansing Hannah Community Center coordinator and 17 years as the city of East Lansing's liaison to the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, according to the statement.

Hardy will begin the new role June 22.

Similarly, Michigan State University officials are seeking to hire a chief diversity officer.

"Hardy will develop and oversee programs, services, initiatives, trainings and organizational cultural realignment strategies designed to enhance the workplace culture and the quality of life in the City of East Lansing," according to the statement.

Hardy will also provide professional staff support to various committees, as assigned, according to the statement.

One committee specifically referenced for Hardy's support was the police oversight study committee currently underway in East Lansing.

Last month, East Lansing City Council approved a resolution to form a committee to create an East Lansing Independent Police Oversight Commission.

The study committee will be used to research the relationship between the police and the community in order to make recommendations to City Council to implement the independent oversight commission.

Additionally, Hardy's roles include, but are not limited to, according to the statement:

• Researching and recommending and executing creative strategies to foster the city's diversity goals
• Reviewing current practices and analyzing if they support or hinder the city's diversity goals
• Analyzing data to evaluate the organization's population in accordance with diversity standards and goals
• Creating recruiting and hiring strategies to attract diverse employees
• Recommending training to aid diversity initiatives
• Serving as the liaison to government agencies concerning equal employment opportunity and the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan.
• Providing support to the East Lansing Human Relations Commission as necessary
• Serving as the facilitator of East Lansing's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee
• Relationship-building with community groups and stakeholders, specifically those in protected classes
• Assisting in creating opportunities for community input events

“Elaine is someone who has a great passion for making East Lansing and the region as a whole a more inclusive, equitable and welcoming place for all community members,” Lahanas said. "... She is someone I trust to move this very important mission forward for the City of East Lansing."