Tag: University of Wisconsin

Black Women Used Social Networks to Help Them Persist in STEM

The new study sought to shed light on how relationships and community support success for Black women as they pursue education in STEM fields.

Diversity Hiring Freeze Plan Rejected Then Later Approved by the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents

Universities of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman brokered a deal with the Republican-controlled legislature that called for a freeze hiring for diversity positions through the end of 2026 and shift at least 43 diversity positions to focus on “student success.” But the deal was rejected by the board of regents of the University of Wisconsin System.

In Memoriam: Dianne Jemison Pollard

In addition to her service as dean of the Honors College at Texas Southern University, Dr. Jemison Pollard was chair of the department of fine arts at the university for 10 years. She also was an award-winning university stage director who directed over 50 productions.

Three African Americans Who Are Starting New Higher Education Roles Relating to Diversity

The three African Americans in new diversity roles at universities are Adrienne Morgan at the University of Rochester in New York, Algerian Hart at Missouri State University in Springfield, and Monica Smith for the University of Wisconsin System.

In Memoriam: William Edwards Spriggs, 1955-2023

Williams Spriggs began his academic career teaching at North Carolina A&T State University and then at Norfolk State University in Virginia. In 2005, Dr. Spriggs joined the faculty at Howard University, where he chaired the economics department until 2009. He then served as assistant secretary for policy at the U.S. Department of Labor during the Obama administration. He returned to Howard and was named chief economist at the AFL-CIO in 2012.

In Memoriam: Christopher Smith, 1968-2023

Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California in 2002. Earlier, he served as the director of primary research for Ruder Finn Public Relations in New York City.

In Memoriam: Christopher Smith, 1968-2023

Dr. Smith joined the faculty of the Annenberg School of Communications at the University of Southern California in 2002. Earlier, he served as the director of primary research for Ruder Finn Public Relations in New York City.

Four Black Scholars Who Are Taking on New Assignments at Major Universities

Appointed to new positions or taking on new duties are Michelle Robinson at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, Charles D. Brown II at Yale University, Patricia Smith at the Lewis Center for the Arts at Princeton University in New Jersey, and Angela Byars-Winston of the School of Medicine and Public Health at the University of Wisconsin.

In Memoriam: Sylvester Modupe Broderick Jr., 1941-2022

A native of Freetown, Sierra Leone, Professor Broderick came to the United States in 1959 to attend what is now Otterbein University in Ohio. He later taught at North Carolina A&T State University, the University of Wisconsin, and universities in Brazil and Africa.

New Assignments for Five Black Faculty Members at Universities

Taking on new roles or duties are Brian Burt at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Kimberley McKinson at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Amber Wiley at the Stuart Weitzman School of Design of the University of Pennsylvania, Eljenette West at the Mississippi University for Women, and Chelsea Mikael Frazier at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.

University of Wisconsin Scholar Confirmed as Assistant Secretary of Commerce

Michael C. Morgan is taking a leave from his faculty position to serve as assistant secretary of commerce for environmental observation and prediction. In that capacity, he will serve as deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Three Black Scholars Who Have Been Appointed to Endowed Professorships

Baron Kelly was appointed to the Vilas Distinguished Professor of Theatre and Dance at the University of Wisconsin. Roxane Gay was appointed to the Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair at Rutgers University in New Jersey and Cherene Sherrard-Johnson was appointed the E. Wilson Lyon Professor of the Humanities at Pomona College in California.

How Stress in the Academic Environment Impacts the Health of Black Women

Researchers at the University of Wisconsin and the University of Texas have found that the high-stress environment of higher education may negatively impact the mental and physical health of Black women in the academic world.

In Memoriam: Babatunde Ayodeji Ogunnaike, 1956-2022

Babatunde A. Ogunnaike, a native of Nigeria, was the William L. Friend Chair of Chemical Engineering and former dean of the College of Engineering at the University of Delaware. He was an expert in process control, modeling and simulation, systems biology, and applied statistics.

In Memoriam: Tyler Stovall, 1954-2021

Tyler Stovall was a renowned historian of modern Europe, professor, and dean of the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences at Fordham University. From 2014 to 2020, he was dean of humanities at the University of California, Santa Cruz

In Memoriam: bell hooks, 1952-2021

The leading feminist scholar bell hooks, the Distinguished Professor in Residence in Appalachian Studies at Berea College in Kentucky, died at her home in Berea on December 15 at the age of 69.

James T. Minor Appointed Chancellor of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville

Minor most recently served as assistant vice chancellor and senior strategist in the Office of the Chancellor at California State University. Prior to his post at California State University, Dr. Minor served as deputy assistant secretary at the U.S. Department of Education. He will begin his new job on March 1.

In Memoriam: Teresa Ann Miller, 1962-2021

Teresa A. Miller was senior vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and chief diversity officer for the State University of New York. Earlier, Miller was a tenured professor of law at the University at Buffalo, specializing in immigration law, criminal procedure, and prisoner law.

Three Universities Announce the Appointments of African American Diversity Officers

Carl Hampton is the chief diversity officer at Governor State University in Illinois. Kristie A. Ford was named associate provost for diversity, equity, and inclusion at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, and Michael States was named associate dean of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Wisconsin Law School.

Linda Scott Was Named President-Elect of the American Academy of Nursing

Dr. Scott became the eighth dean of the School of Nursing at the University of Wisconsin-Madison in 2016. Earlier she was associate dean for academic affairs, director of graduate studies, and urban health at the University of Illinois at Chicago’s College of Nursing.

University of Wisconsin-Madison Removes a Boulder That Was Offensive to Many on Campus

The University of Wisconsin-Madison has removed a 70-ton boulder from the heart of campus. In 1925, the rock was removed from a campus construction site and placed near Washburn Observatory. The boulder became know as "niggerhead rock."

Five Black Scholars Appointed to Higher Education Diversity Posts

Recently hired to diversity posts are Paul Frazier at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Sylvia R. Carey-Butler at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island, LaVar Charleston at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Jeanne Arnold at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, and Wilmore Webley at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

A Trio of African Americans Who Have Been Named to Diversity Posts in Higher Education

Shirley J. Everett was named senior adviser to the provost on equity and inclusion at Stanford University. Emmanuel Adero is the new deputy chief officer for the  Office of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Torsheika Maddox was named chief of staff for the chief diversity officer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In Memoriam: Barbara A. Newsome, 1946-2021

Dr. Newsome joined the faculty at Mississippi Valley State University in 2001 as an assistant professor in the social work department. During her tenure, Dr. Newsome served as the interim chair of the department, internship field coordinator and the director of the master of social work degree program.

Linda Green Will Be the Inaugural Dean of the College of Law at Michigan State University

Professor Greene serves on the faculty at the University of Wisconsin–Madison School of Law. She first joined the faculty there in 1989 and holds the Evjue-Bascom Professorship. From 1999 to 2004 she was the inaugural vice chancellor of equity, diversity, and inclusion at the University of California, San Diego.

White Supremacist Spray Paints Racist Messages on University of Wisconsin Buildings

Among the messages spray-painted on buildings were "Aryan Brotherhood," and "White Lives Matter Most." After examining security camera footage, police arrested a 71-year-old White man and charged him with five counts of criminal damage to property.

Melissa Holloway Honored by the National Association of College and University Attorneys

Since May 2019, Mellissa Holloway has been general counsel for legal affairs at North Carolina A&T State University in East Greensboro. Earlier, she was deputy general counsel at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana, and general counsel at North Carolina Central University in Durham.

Stephen Kolison Named the Fourteenth President of SUNY-Fredonia

Since April 1, 2017, Dr. Kolison has served as executive vice president and provost for the University of Indianapolis. From 2008 to 2017, he served in the administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

University of North Carolina School of the Arts Names its Next Provost

Professor Sims currently serves as the deputy vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion and the Elzie Higginbottom Vice Provost and chief diversity officer at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He is also the founding director of the Theatre for Cultural and Social Awareness and a professor of theater at the university.

Brian Johnson Named President at Warner Pacific University in Portland, Oregon

Dr. Johnson has been serving as vice president of Mercy College and senior campus administrator at the college's New York City campus in Manhattan. Before that, he was president of Tuskegee University in Alabama from 2014 to 2017.

In Memoriam: Conrad Worrill, 1941-2020

Dr. Worrill joined the faculty of the department of inner city studies at Northeastern Illinois University in 1976. He also served as the director of the university’s Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies. He retired in 2016 after serving on the faculty for 50 year.

In Memoriam: Ralph C. Gomes, 1937-2020

Dr. Gomes began his career in 1971 at Howard University as a lecturer in what was then the department of sociology and anthropology. He served on the faculty for 49 years.

Higher Education Grants or Gifts of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

Four Black Faculty Members Who Are Taking on New Assignments

The four scholars beginning new duties are Sheria D. Rowe at St. Augustine's University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Alvin Thomas at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Adia Harvey Wingfield at Washington University in St. Louis, and Nicole Mitchell at the University of Pittsburgh.

Higher Education Grants or Gifts of Interest to African Americans

Here is this week’s news of grants or gifts to historically Black colleges and universities or for programs of particular interest to African Americans in higher education.

University of Wisconsin Video Touting Diversity Comes Up Short

The student homecoming committee at the University of Wisconsin-Madison posted a video online touting the university's diversity. But the video was criticized and pulled offline when it became apparent that few students of color appeared in the video.

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