Associate Vice President Pamela White, who served as Emerson’s Title IX & Clery Act coordinator, died on Dec. 29 at the age of 63, college officials announced Tuesday evening. 

White began her time at Emerson in 2015, working to support those affected by power-based interpersonal violence. She spearheaded several major projects while at the college, most notably the reimagining of training programs for students, faculty and staff. 

“Her expertise and commitment to data-driven, evidence-based best practices in equity in higher education enabled her to center individuals and communities impacted by power-based interpersonal violence,” wrote Ruthanne Madsen, interim supervisor of the Social Justice Center and vice president for enrollment management, in the email announcing White’s passing. 

Hailing from Florida, White dreamed of working in public service. In her bio on the Social Justice Center’s website, she wrote that she grew up admiring the likes of Shirley Chisholm, Barbara Jordan, and Yvonne Braithwaure Burke, whose “sheer will to refuse to accept the status quo” motivated her to “keep pressing forward doing this work.”

Former Vice President for Equity & Social Justice Sylvia Spears, who left Emerson last year, remembered White as an “extraordinary woman who was committed to justice and brought that ethic to her work at Emerson.” Spears commended White’s passion for her work.

“Pam held one of the most challenging roles that exists on any college campus,” Spears wrote. “It required her to engage with people during what was likely one of the most difficult periods of their lives…She was a beloved colleague in the SJC who became my good friend. I will miss Pam as well as the light and love that she brought to those around her.”