University Refocuses on Minority Recruitment; Robinson to Lead Diversity Enhancement Effort

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas has embarked on a philosophical shift in its efforts to foster multiculturalism on campus through the appointment of a vice provost for diversity.

Charles Robinson, associate professor of history and director of the African American studies program at the university, has accepted an appointment to fill this administrative role, effective July 1. He will serve on the chancellor’s executive committee and will administer all university-wide efforts to enhance diversity.

“I want our diversity initiative to engage in a vibrant and proactive effort to recruit under-represented racial and ethnic minority individuals to our faculty, staff and student body, as well as strengthen retention,” said Chancellor G. David Gearhart. “In my judgment, the recruitment and retention of faculty, staff and students of color must be the centerpiece of our diversity efforts.”

“In selecting Charles Robinson for this redefined, critical responsibility, we are adding an award-winning instructor and respected scholar in the area of race relations to a key leadership position,” he added. “He will be a superlative chief diversity officer for the university.”

Robinson holds a Bachelor of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in American history from the University of Houston and a Master of Arts from Rice University. He joined the University of Arkansas faculty in 1999, and since that time, he has written three books that have grappled with racial issues in Arkansas and American history, as well as several scholarly articles and book chapters.

The university has also afforded him two of its highest teaching honors: the Arkansas Alumni Association’s Distinguished Achievement in Teaching Award in 2004, and induction into the university’s Teaching Academy in 2005.

Robinson also was recognized by the Fulbright College with its Master Teacher Award in 2003. His efforts are reflected in the success of the African American studies program, which under his direction has grown from an enrollment of three students in 2004-05 to more than 80 students this year.

“I am both humbled and excited about being asked by the chancellor to join his administrative staff,” said Robinson. “I feel that with a renewed sense of commitment and strategic planning, we will be successful in creating a campus diversity of which we all can be proud.”

To assist Robinson in his efforts, Gearhart is appointing a chancellor’s commission on diversity, which will develop accountability measures to determine tangible progress being made in the area of campus diversity. Details on this commission will be formulated in the coming weeks.

Robinson will succeed Carmen Coustaut, who was appointed in 2005 for a five-year term as the university’s first diversity officer and has indicated a desire to return to the faculty at the conclusion of her term. Coustaut’s efforts during her time as associate vice chancellor for institutional diversity and education have focused on developing an inclusive curriculum and co-curricular learning experiences, as well as advancing the University of Arkansas diversity plan. 

“I am deeply grateful to Carmen for the significant role she has played as our chief diversity officer,” said Gearhart. “I very much appreciate her commitment to the university and we are most pleased she will be resuming teaching in the Fulbright College. She has made significant contributions to our diversity efforts.”

From July 1 through the expiration of her administrative term on Dec. 31, Coustaut will work on a special assignment that will result in a comprehensive set of recommendations on enhancing diversity on campus. She also will prepare for her return to teaching, and in January 2010, she will assume her tenured appointment as associate professor of journalism.

“I am very grateful for the opportunity to have helped advance our diversity initiatives at the University of Arkansas, and I know that Dr. Robinson will do an outstanding job moving our diversity agenda forward,” said Coustaut.

A recent “National Best Practice Report” by the Education Advisory Board in Washington, D.C., on advances in campus diversity suggested that while most institutions have conducted some type of diversity planning, few have seen the process have a noteworthy impact on recruiting. The refocus on minority recruitment as the cornerstone of diversity enhancement at the university is consistent with the approach advised by a working group convened by the Southeastern Conference Academic Consortium, which is housed at the University of Arkansas.

“Charles Robinson is a friend and colleague in the history department whose teaching, mentorship and scholarship I admire tremendously,” said Bob McMath, interim provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “He will be a very effective leader of the university’s renewed efforts to recruit outstanding minority students, staff and faculty members and to make this a community which embraces diversity in all its forms.

“I also want to express my deep appreciation to Carmen Coustaut for her good work over the past several years and to wish her well as she returns to teaching,” added McMath. “No doubt Carmen will soon be inspiring some budding video documentarians.”