Texas A&M University
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The Council on Climate and Diversity Purpose: To provide counsel to the President and the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academics on all ways of attracting and retaining culturally diverse students, faculty, and staff to Texas A&M University and to strengthen, sustain, and promote our diversity efforts in support of Vision 2020 goals. In addition, the Council will assist the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity in planning appropriate assessment and evaluation of all university units regarding diversity-related endeavors.

Members: -Eleanor M. Green, dean, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (chair) -Feyza Berber, chair, Multicultural and Diversity Affairs Committee, Graduate Student Council -Jorge Bermudez, chair-elect, Board of Directors, The Association of Former Students -Ginger E. Carney, faculty representative -Antonio Cepeda-Benito, dean of faculties and associate provost -Tedi Ellison, immediate past chair, Bryan-College Station Chamber of Commerce -Dean Endler, chair, University Staff Council -Ramiro Galindo, chairman and CEO, R.A. Galindo, Incorporated, community representative -Linda Gilbert, community representative -Herbert I. Goodman, chair, International Board Executive Committee -Lance Jackson, Center Supervisor, Lincoln Center, City of College Station, community representative -Ronnie Jackson, Neighborhood/Youth Services Manager, City of Bryan, community representative -Carol Jordan, president, Women Former Students’ Network -Glen A. Laine, chair, Department Head Steering Committee -Francisco Maldonado, president, Texas A&M Hispanic Network -M. Sam Mannan, chair, Faculty Senate Diversity Committee -Kathy Merrill, assistant city manager, City of College Station -Nick Rodriguez, executive director, Hispanic President’s Council -Felicia Scott, chair, Black Former Student Network -Meet Shah, director, Student Government Association Diversity Commission -Vinod Srinivasan, faculty representative -Masha Sukovic, graduate student representative -Kathy Symank, associate vice president for administrative and human resource services -Joel Thornton, faculty representative -Jorge Vanegas, dean, College of Architecture -Joseph F. Weber, vice president for student affairs -Thomas Wendell Williams III, undergraduate student representative -Jim Woosley, faculty representative

Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity. Mission: The Mission of the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity is to facilitate, coordinate, advance, amplify, inform, and monitor the University and its many units as we develop our strength in - and evidence of - respect for diversity. Texas A&M University’s constituents believe our traditions and vision focus on a unique higher education environment that fosters, in individuals and in groups, excellence, leadership, integrity, loyalty, selfless service, and respect. Each of these attributes must fully integrate respect for individual and group diversity such that we effectively utilize these differences in our pursuit of preeminence in the 21st century. As part of our mission to document Texas A&M University’s commitment to diversity, we will provide data that will enable members of the university community to monitor progress made in this regard.

♦Wrote nomination resulting in Texas A&M University’s selection for the U.S. Secretary of Labor’s Opportunity Award (2006), the first time a university has ever won this prestigious national award. ♦Provides leadership to the nine universities, seven state agencies, and a health science center (100,000+ students, 30,000+ employees) which compose the A&M System in the areas of equal opportunity, diversity, and affirmative action. Developed on-line and stand up training programs on preventing discrimination and harassment. ♦As a member of the Chancellor’s Diversity Council and Texas A&M University’s Council on Diversity and Climate, provides advice and counsel on diversity issues and on the process and methodology for attracting, enrolling, and retaining a more culturally diverse workforce and campus (faculty, staff, and students). ♦Finalizes responses to charges of discrimination and harassment filed with local, state, and federal governments. ♦Utilizes diversity recruitment skills to increase the number of women and minority applicants for System Offices jobs and recommends Systemwide best practices to recruit diverse faculty, staff, and students. ♦Provides training related to diversity recruitment, inclusive environment, and dispute resolution. ♦Analyzes affirmative action plans and statistics for 19 universities and state agencies and recommends improvements to minimize the under-representation of minorities and women. ♦Writes and reviews new and revised policies, regulations, and rules related to equal opportunity issues. ♦Maintains state of the field knowledge of civil rights laws and regulations. ♦Mediates employee disputes. ♦Analyzes legislation related to equal opportunity, equity, diversity, and veterans affairs.