Thursday, June 29, 2006

Wilmington, N.C. - The University of North Carolina Wilmington has named Tamra Minor associate vice chancellor for institutional diversity effective July 1, 2006.

Minor, who came to UNCW in 2005 as the director of campus diversity, will continue working with university students, faculty, and staff to foster awareness and appreciation of individual and group differences.

"I am very happy to be offered this opportunity," Minor said. "I believe the work of the university's Diversity Initiative Planning Committee and Dr. (Denis) Carter have laid the foundation for my work and I will build upon that foundation."

Carter, associate vice chancellor for Academic Affairs, has been instrumental in supporting efforts on behalf of minority students at UNCW through programs such as Great Expectations and the College Opportunity Program.

Minor said her appointment illustrates that Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo, Provost Paul Hosier and the entire university leadership are serious about their commitment to diversity and promoting a culture of inclusiveness at UNCW. "Accordingly, my major focus will include identifying strategies to enhance the culture of UNCW by assisting students in developing the intellectual, social, emotional, cultural and civic capacities essential to lead in a global economy," she noted.

"Having worked closely with Dr. Minor over the last year, I am impressed with her knowledge and understanding of diversity issues and her commitment to the university's mission," Hosier said. "I am confident that she will work effectively with all constituents to realize our goals."

Prior to joining UNCW, Minor served as the director of organization development for the Columbus Public Schools in Columbus, Ohio. She previously held several positions at The Ohio State University, including director of research, assessment and evaluation for Minority Affairs, director of retention services for Minority Affairs, interim director of recruitment and development, and assistant to the vice president for Human Resources. In each of these positions, Minor effectively demonstrated her skills in the area of organizational change.

Minor's leadership skills will be invaluable in her new position as she directs and promotes programs, practices and policies that reduce structural inequities. Her responsibilities will also include collaboration with campus and community groups. The overarching goal of her position is assisting UNCW in becoming a more inclusive, egalitarian, and collaborative learning community.

Minor holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri, as well as a master's and a Ph.D. from The Ohio State University.