University of Arkansas Council and Committees to Address Enhanced Diversity Efforts

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas Chancellor G. David Gearhart has named 15 state, faculty, alumni and staff leaders as members of the new Chancellor’s Council on Diversity, which he will chair. The council members will assist in determining the university’s diversity agenda, formulating strategies to disseminate the diversity message, identifying funding sources to promote diversity plans and serving as statewide diversity ambassadors.

The council members are: Alejandro Aviles, a graduate student in the Clinton School of Public Service; Donald Bland, senior managing director of outreach at the University of Arkansas; Carolyn Brewer, northwest Arkansas community leader; Willyerd Collier, university director of affirmative action; Ro DiBrezzo, university director of the Human Performance Laboratory; Sharon Gaber, university provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs; Andre Guerrero, director of programs for immigrant students at the Arkansas Department of Education; Marion Humphrey, circuit court judge of the 6^th Judicial District; Anne Jannarone, director of the university’s Center for Educational Access; Gerald Jordan, associate professor of journalism; Gene McKissic, attorney; Charles Robinson, university vice provost for diversity; Wyatt Weems, former senior vice president at Stephens Inc.; Joseph K. Wood, founder of My C.A.S.E., Pro; and Diana Gonzales Worthen, director of the university’s Teach Them All program. Additional members may be invited to join the council as the year progresses.

“This is a remarkable group of people, and I am honored that they have agreed to make the time to work with the university on this very important issue,” said Gearhart. “Increasing the diversity at the University of Arkansas is one of our prime goals, and it is a key to our ability to improve both education and the lives of the people in our state. I am most pleased that Dr. Charles Robinson, vice provost, will be providing important leadership to these extremely vital efforts.”

Charles Robinson assumes his position as vice provost for diversity at the University of Arkansas on July 1, but he is already laying groundwork for the university’s enhanced effort to recruit and retain more under-represented racial and ethnic minority students, faculty and staff members to the campus.

Robinson is proposing that two campus committees be organized to work with the Chancellor’s Council.

“Diversity is an extremely broad concept that covers not only ethnic, racial and gender representation, but it also deals with issues tied to sexual orientation, regional affiliation and access for the physically and mentally impaired,” said Robinson. “We have a responsibility to ensure that all voices for diversity are heard, but we also must be able to implement substantive strategies and programs based on that diversity dialogue.”

Robinson’s plans call for one committee that will focus on improving efforts to recruit and retain underrepresented students and one to deal with diversity issues as they relate to life on campus. Both committees will be made up of students, faculty and staff members, and both will be chaired by Robinson. He plans to begin inviting people this summer to serve on the two committees, and for the groups to begin meeting in the fall.

“These committees won’t take the place of other campus diversity-oriented groups,” said Robinson. “I would like for these groups to bring their ideas to the appropriate committee for consideration. This structure should make it easier for campus diversity groups to have their ideas considered in the provost’s office and by the entire executive staff.”

Robinson is an associate professor of history and has served as director of the African American studies program at the university. As vice provost for diversity he will serve on the chancellor’s executive committee and will administer all universitywide efforts to enhance diversity.