Northwestern has hired the first director of the Center for Student Enrichment Services, a new office dedicated to supporting low-income and first-generation college students.

The new director, Kourtney Cockrell, most recently served as NU’s associate director of talent management with the Office of Alumni Relations and Development where she focused on diversity and inclusion strategy. She spent more than seven years with the nonprofit Posse Foundation and has consulted with many companies and businesses on diversity recruitment and inclusion.

The Center for Student Enrichment Services is housed within the Department of Campus Inclusion and Community.

Lesley-Ann Brown, director of the Department of Campus Inclusion and Community, said Cockrell’s experience working with NU, Evanston and Chicago will be an asset.

“We’re excited because she has a strong passion for working for all students, especially low-income students,” she said.

Last month, before Cockrell was hired, Brown said the director of the office would focus on financial aid, leadership training and academic support for low-income and first-generation college students.

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