May 4, 2012: Diversity Updates

Dear Faculty and Staff Colleagues:

With this email I want to provide you with updates on two initiatives related to our commitment to diversity. As you know, during this academic year we completed several national searches in the Office of Student Affairs and welcomed new colleagues into the following positions: Associate Dean for Diversity in Student Affairs, Director of International Student Services, Director of Multicultural Student Services, and Director of LBGT Awareness.

Earlier this semester, we extended the search for an Associate Provost for Diversity. This new position will be focused on helping our academic searches and academic programs move ahead as rapidly as possible in fulfilling our goals for diversity in the academic area. My thanks to the members of the committee for their continuing work on this search throughout this semester and into the summer and to Professor Berhanu Nega for joining the committee. The committee’s members are

George Shields, Dean of Arts and Sciences, chair
Laura Beninati, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Karen Castle, Associate Professor of Chemistry
Gene Crawford, Director of Compensation & Employment Services
Renee Gosson, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
George Hickman ‘13
Maisha Kelly, Senior Associate Athletics Director
Susan Lantz, Dean of Students
Robert Midkiff, Associate Provost
Berhanu Nega, Associate Professor of Economics
Carol White, Professor of Religion

Finally, last fall I announced that I was going to establish a President’s Council on Diversity. Below are the names of the colleagues who have agreed to join me on this council. My thanks to them for their willingness to take on this responsibility.

Thomas Alexander, Associate Dean of Students for Diversity
Keith Buffinton, Dean of Engineering
Bill Connelly, who will join us July 1 as our new Vice President for Enrollment Management
Kim Daubman, Associate Professor of Psychology and incoming Chair of the Faculty
Carmen Gillespie, Professor of English and Bucknell Arts Coordinator
Marcia Hoffman, Executive Director of Human Resources
Michael James, Associate Professor of Political Science
Maisha Kelly
Susan Lantz
George Shields
Mick Smyer, Provost
The Associate Provost for Diversity

We will convene our first meeting this month. This council will provide important organizational and advisory roles in ensuring that Bucknell meets its goals for diversity of our campus. Specifically, it will recommend, monitor, assess and report on campus-wide programs, policies and personnel organizations that support our diversity objectives and initiatives.

The new associate provost and this council will play leadership roles in making Bucknell a welcoming and supportive community for individuals of all backgrounds. We also know that all of us together define Bucknell, and I appreciate your commitment to this value at the core of our University.

Sincerely,

John