Janice Underwood

Underwood was born to Michael and Virginia Bell.^[1] She earned a B.A. (1998) in psychology and a M.A. in special education (2002) from Hampton University.^[2][1] She earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction from the Darden College of Education at Old Dominion University (ODU).^[2][1] Her 2015 dissertation was titled, A Phenomenological Case Study Concerning Science Teacher Educators' Beliefs and Teaching Practices About Culturally Relevant Pedagogy and Preparing K-12 Science Teachers to Engage African American Students in K-12 Science.^[1] Sue C. Kimmel was her doctoral advisor.^[1]

Underwood was a biology special education teacher at Hampton High School from 2000 to 2015.^[3][1] In 2011, she joined her alma mater ODU as a research assistant and adjunct professor of science methodologies in the department of STEM and professional studies.^[1][3] At ODU, she served as an executive program director from 20015 to 2018 and director of diversity initiatives from 2018 to 2019.^[3] On September 16, 2019, Underwood became the first director of diversity, equity, and inclusion for the Virginia state government, having been appointed by named by governor Ralph Northam.^[2][4] In May 2022, Underwood was appointed as the first director of the United States Office of Personnel Management's Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility and the governmentwide chief diversity officer.^[5][6] In 2024, she joined Disney Experiences as its vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion talent outreach and development.^[5]