Wood Named Director of Office of Equal Opportunity and Compliance

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Danielle Wood, the interim co-director of the office of equal opportunity and compliance at the University of Arkansas since July 2011, has been appointed as the new director of the office.

“I am excited to have Danielle at the helm of this very important unit,” said Charles Robinson, vice chancellor for diversity and community. “This works to better ensure that we have a fair and inclusive campus environment. I have great faith that Danielle will serve in her new post with the highest level of professionalism and effectiveness.”  

The director of equal opportunity and compliance reports to the vice chancellor for diversity and community and is responsible for leading and coordinating the university’s affirmative-action programs and ensuring equal opportunity compliance, in accordance with federal and state laws and U of A policies.

Wood’s duties will include implementing annual policy and program updates in collaboration with human resources, academic affairs and other institutional divisions within the university; proposing and implementing educational opportunities for faculty, staff and students to reduce the risk of non-compliance; and working with faculty and staff search committees involved in recruitment and hiring.

She will also be involved in designing educational materials to promote the recruitment of a diverse workforce; investigating and processing inquiries and complaints related to hiring processes and procedures; representing the office of equal opportunity and compliance in meetings with the university community and external constituents.

Wood joined the office, then known as the office of affirmative action, in 2000 and served as assistant director from 2008-2011 before being named interim co-director. The office was renamed in early 2012 to better describe its purpose and mission.

Wood is also a captain in the Arkansas Air National Guard, where she has served since 2008 as assistant equal opportunity director in the equal opportunity office of the 188th Fighter Wing in Fort Smith.

She has bachelor’s degrees in mathematics and human resource development, a master’s degree in vocational education with an emphasis in human resource development, and a doctorate in workforce development education, all from the U of A.