Mixed Results: diversity increase
at ASU
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by
Elizabeth Ashford
Staff Writer |
Appalachian State University
increased diversity for both its faculty and student
body, Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity Dr.
Harry L. Williams said.
“We are up 8.5 percent in student diversity
for this year, and are up 14.8 percent in faculty
diversity from the previous year,” Williams
said.
Williams said North Carolina has done a good job
in desegregating higher education and that Appalachian
and Boone have done a great job in creating a caring
climate for students that attend the school.
“I believe if we focus our attention on recruiting
highly qualified faculty members, students will
come because students are seeking positive role
models,” Williams said.
Williams said he aims to create diversity by making
students feel welcomed.
“Appalachian is working very hard to create
a climate that is welcoming to students, faculty
and staff. Diversity is happening already. It’s
our job to keep it up in a positive light,”
Williams said.
The changes come in part as an answer to comments
made in the last review of Appalachian by the Southern
Association of Colleges and Universities.
Associate Director of the Office of International
Programs Bob A. White said Appalachian received
several comments about the excellence of its programs
in the review. White said the SACS review committee
also commented that Appalachian was not a very diverse
school when compared to the overall percentages
of minorities living in North Carolina. White said
the review led to some interesting and well-planned
changes in the administration realm of the university.
In the first change, the Director of International
Programs moved to the position of Assistant Vice
Chancellor of International Programs.
“This move signaled ASU’s dedication
to more fully opening the door to global diversity
for the ASU student body,” White said.
White said that the Office of International Programs
is now in the school’s hierarchy, which will
enable them to promote the program.
Next, Appalachian’s administration hired Williams
as Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity.
Williams said he has several goals for the university.
One is to create a faculty exchange program between
Appalachian and Winston-Salem State University.
The program would enable majority faculty members
from Appalachian to go teach at Winston-Salem for
a semester or a year, and minority faculty members
from Winston-Salem would come and teach here. The
program would also enable Appalachian students to
go on international trips with Winston-Salem students
and vice-versa.
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