Office of Diversity Affairs Has New Name to Better Reflect Vision

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas office of diversity became the office of diversity affairs, effective July 1. The change reflects a broader emphasis on diversity initiatives with the reorganization of some departments on campus. 

“The change reflects our commitment to foster better coordination of our departments and programs and signals that diversity is multifaceted,” said Charles Robinson, whose title has also been modified as part of the change to vice provost for diversity affairs. “It shows that we are dedicated to drive our efforts under the umbrella of diversity.”

“The University of Arkansas is committed to maintaining a learning environment where diversity is valued and celebrated,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “Operationally, the establishment and structure of the diversity affairs will result in greater coordination of the many diversity programs and initiatives already in place.”

Now, three distinct areas are included under the office of diversity affairs:

• College access – This includes the College Access Initiative, led by co-directors Leslie Yingling and Bryan Hembree; the Pre-College Programs of Talent Search, led by Gina Ervin; and Upward Bound programs, led by Keith Brink. An example of a program conducted as part of college-access is the summer ACT Academy, a weeklong intensive ACT training academy for rising high school juniors and seniors from around the state. Significant improvements in individual ACT scores have resulted from student participation the academy.

• Student recruitment and retention services – An office of Latino academic advancement and community relations has been formed as part of this new configuration and is led by Luis Restrepo, the assistant vice provost for diversity affairs. Also under student recruitment and retention is minority graduate and student recruitment support, which will be led by Willyerd R. Collier Sr., formerly the director of the office of affirmative action. Collier has been named assistant vice provost for diversity affairs to help support and retain underrepresented graduate students. Further, student support services, directed by Taj Cobbs, and the Multicultural Center, directed by Cedric Kenner, are included as part of these services.

• Faculty/staff services – A number of resource groups for African Americans, women, and LGBT faculty and staff are consolidated under these services.

 “We’re excited about our expansion of programs,” Robinson said. “The newly created office of Latino academic advancement and community relations, for example, seeks to encourage and engage the state’s burgeoning Latino community.”

Northwest Arkansas has seen the largest growth in the Latino population in Arkansas, according to U.S. Census data. Last school year, 41 percent of the students in the Rogers public school district were Hispanic. In Springdale public schools, 38 percent of the students were Hispanic. The Bentonville and Fayetteville districts were 10 and 9.3 percent Hispanic, respectively.

“These kids live in close proximity to the university,” Robinson said. “The need to educate and encourage students from all populations about the importance of attaining a college degree is paramount. When these students begin thinking about their future, we want college to be at the forefront of their thinking.” 

“There are misconceptions that diversity is about race,” Robinson said. “It’s about enhancing the experience of all people on campus by including everyone and enhancing the student experience, the faculty experience, the staff experience – diversity is about getting people on board with an understanding, and equipped to live, work and serve in a multi-faceted world. That’s why diversity efforts make sense.”

This chart shows the new organization as well as the staff members in each of the areas under the office of diversity affairs. A diversity affairs open house will be set later this fall at the university’s Multicultural Center.