UNC Continues Search For Diversity Director

The new director for diversity education and research will have the task of assessing the University's existing diversity policies and initiatives and implementing diversity education programs.

Once inventory of existing programs has been taken, the director will be responsible for creating new diversity strategies and programs for the University.

The director will also be responsible for providing the public with information on UNC's diversity policies, programs and new initiatives.

Archie Ervin, director of the Office of Minority Affairs, noted the position's importance when he said proven experience as an effective leader was necessary.

The position requires a master's degree and at least three years of experience in the field of diversity education, research and assessment, preferably in an higher education environment.

The new director will be responsible for assisting faculty, staff and students with achieving the goals of the diversity initiatives.

"The person has to be ... well-versed in dealing with students," Ervin said.

The review process began last spring, with the formation of a committee made up of students, faculty and administrative members.

The committee, headed by Fred Clark, director of graduate studies for the Department of Romance Languages, reviewed about 100 applications from a national search.

Ervin said that the search committee hopes to be done by the middle of November.

The committee began working on the applications during the summer and early fall, meeting to discuss potential candidates.

The hunt for applicants began with a regional call for candidates and was later expanded.

The full national search included an advertisement placed in The Chronicle of Higher Education.

The committee has narrowed the number of applicants to 12 for closer review.

Members of the committee are in the process of conducting interviews with the 12 candidates.

Those on the committee are speaking personally to each of the applicants, mostly by phone.

Senior Class President Paymon Rouhanifard, who is a member of the search committee, said many qualified applicants have been reviewed so far.

He said, "To me as a student, I'd like to see someone with experience in diversity training."

The University Editor can be reached at udesk@unc.edu.