The former diversity officer at the University of Connecticut’s Graduate School has filed a federal lawsuit against the university, its president and other top administrators, claiming she was targeted because of her race after speaking out about the school’s diversity policies.

Charmane Thurmand was employed as diversity officer for 4 1/2 years, until her constructive discharge in February 2017. A Ph.D. candidate at The Graduate School, Thurmand, who is black, was expelled from the school in May 2017.