Peoria County Administrator Scott Sorrel is pleased to name Andre W. Allen as Peoria County’s Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Officer. His first day is today, October 17, 2022.
As Chief DEI Officer, Mr. Allen will be responsible for furthering the objectives of diversity, equity, and inclusion within the Peoria County organization and the greater community utilizing five key DEI perspectives: access and equity; inclusive participation; learning and diversity; community engagement; and leadership and commitment.
He has over ten years of progressive higher education experience working for Eastern Illinois University, Illinois State University, and Methodist College of UnityPoint Health (MCUPH) in various roles and program areas. Mr. Allen previously served as Director of Student Affairs, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MCUPH, providing strategic leadership and supervisory responsibility for all student services and DEI practices.
“Andre Allen will be Peoria County’s first Chief Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Officer,” said Scott Sorrel, Peoria County Administrator. “He brings to this position not only his experience in the DEI realm, but an extensive community engagement background. I look forward to him joining Peoria County’s senior management team.”
Mr. Allen is a proud native of Peoria and alumnus of Peoria Public Schools. He received his Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies and Master of Science in Sports Administration from Eastern Illinois University. He is currently a doctoral student at Illinois State University, pursuing a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration.
Mr. Allen is an active member of the Central Illinois community. He currently serves on the Peoria City Council representing District 4. In addition to his elected service role, Mr. Allen participates in a variety of civic engagement and volunteer opportunities in his spare time. He serves on the Police-Community Relations Advisory Committee (Chair 2020-2021), Peoria Public Schools Foundation, Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Peoria Promise Foundation. He is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Kappa Pi Lambda Chapter of Peoria, Illinois.
Mr. Allen is a graduate of the Class of 2022 Community Leadership School sponsored by the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce, and in 2018 he was named a 40 Leaders Under Forty by Peoria Magazines.
Mr. Allen is married to his college sweetheart, Jaleesha Allen. They have two daughters, Barbie Marie and Dream, and one son, Dreyton.