President Ransdell Names WKU's First Chief Diversity Officer

June 14, 2007

Bowling Green, Ky. -Dr. Richard C. Miller has been appointed Western Kentucky University’s first Chief Diversity Officer by President Gary Ransdell.

“In the short time that Dr. Miller has served our campus, he has proven to be sensitive, insightful and effective,” Dr. Ransdell said. “He has accepted this responsibility in addition to his other important duties.”
Dr. Miller joined WKU last year as associate vice president for Academic Affairs-Faculty Personnel and Academic Policy.

Two University committees (Diversity Environment Committee and the Kentucky Plan Committee) will be combined into the Diversity Enhancement Committee. The committee of faculty and staff members will be appointed by Dr. Miller in consultation with Dr. Ransdell and will begin meeting this fall.

“This appointment represents an unqualified commitment on the part of President Ransdell and WKU to addressing a broad range of issues and concerns related to diversity,” Dr. Miller said. “In my opinion, a critical measure of the educational, social, economic and political conscience of any institution of higher education is its recognition of and commitment to enhancing diversity on many levels. I look forward to working with a newly established Diversity Enhancement Committee, faculty and staff to outline the goals and objectives of current and new initiatives that will lead to placing WKU among the most progressive institutions in espousing the values of diversity.”

The Chief Diversity Officer will remain in the Provost’s Office to ensure that faculty hiring practices and student success practices remain focused. The Chief Diversity Officer also will report directly to the president for purposes of monitoring progress in diversity-related matters including the perceived diversity climate of the University; minority/diversity programming issues, opportunities and results of current and past efforts; major concerns with recommendations for resolution or improvement; and the need for and use of University resources necessary to ensure a rich climate of diversity at WKU.

The Diversity Enhancement Committee will ensure achieved status in all eight categories of the Kentucky Plan, the state’s set of mandated measurables; play a central role in the development and promotion of diversity programs across the campus and in the broader Bowling Green area community; lead the University in ongoing discussions and definition of diversity to promote inclusion and acceptance of differences among people; promote diversity in learning outcomes and international learning experiences; assist in efforts to increase the hiring and retention of minority faculty and staff; assist in efforts to increase the recruitment, retention and graduation of minority students, and prepare as many as possible for graduate school at WKU; monitor achievement of diversity indicators in the WKU Strategic Plan; and select and administer the President’s Award for Diversity.

Dr. Miller has held a variety of leadership roles at different types of institutions, including department chairperson (Bowie State), dean of the School of Health Sciences and Human Performance (Ithaca College), senior vice president for Academic Affairs (Benedict College), and dean of Graduate Programs (Benedict College). Dr. Miller earned the Doctor of Physical Education degree at Springfield College.
               
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For information, contact Academic Affairs at (270) 745-2296.