Western Kentucky University
PAE-6: Diversity and Equity Coordination

The mission of Western Kentucky University is to prepare students to be productive, engaged, socially responsible citizens and leaders of a global society. The success of these future leaders is enhanced through the encouragement and support of faculty, staff, and community, as well as a willingness to embrace the multiple dimensions of diversity. The encompassing dimensions of diversity involve an appreciation of the differences and unique contributions represented by individual identity, opinion, and culture. Differences may be represented through areas such as race, gender, ethnicity, language, religion, sexual orientation, geographic location, abilities or disabilities, and socioeconomic status. Western Kentucky University places a premium on teaching and student learning and growth; therefore, it is important for the University to seek achievement of diversity among its faculty, staff and student populations. As stated in the University’s Strategic Plan, Challenging the Spirit, three (3) of the five (5) Strategic Goals relate to the importance of diversity in the development of culturally responsible citizens, growing a high quality and diverse student body, and enhancing the climate for diversity and collegiality. The Strategic Plan’s performance indicators include the engagement of the Chief Diversity Officer who has direct access to the President. A Presidential appointed Diversity Enhancement Committee serves in an advisory capacity to the Chief Diversity Officer who is responsible for overseeing diversity initiatives, continuous improvement in meeting diversity goals, and establishing a Diversity Plan for the University. As a leading American university with international reach, Western Kentucky University insists on a welcoming environment in which it is committed to promoting acceptance, providing support, and encouraging diversity. Embracing diversity is an essential component to maintaining the University’s efforts toward connecting faculty, staff, and student populations in striving for a high standard of excellence and success. The University is committed to recognizing and supporting meritorious talent and achievement by supporting diversity and equal opportunity in its educational and community/global service obligations. The University’s dedication and persistence in its efforts to promote and strengthen its diversity initiatives serves as an institutional priority in which valuable contributions towards recruitment, retention and advancement of students, faculty, and staff may be realized. In summary, Western Kentucky University is committed to focusing on and espousing the values of diversity as well as recognizing how these values contribute to the preparation of productive, engaged and socially responsible citizen-leaders of a global society.

Dr. Monica G. Burke Assistant Professor, Counseling and Student Affairs Dept. and Assistant to the Chief Diversity Officer 417 C Tate Page Hall 270-745-8997 monica.burke@wku.edu Ms. Pamela M. Herriford Associate Director Athletics Diddle Arena 1402 270-745-6062 pam.herriford@wku.edu Mr. Quentin M. Hollis Assistant Professor Liberal Arts & Science Bowling Green Community College South Campus 130 270-780-2563 quentin.hollis@wku.edu Dr. Aaron W. Hughey Professor Counseling and Student Affairs Tate Page Hall 417 270-745-4953 aaron.hughey@wku.edu Mrs. Sharon E. Hunter Institutional Research Database Analyst Wetherby Administration Bldg 330 270-745-3250 sharon.hunter@wku.edu Dr. Karl S. Laves Interim Director Counseling and Testing Center Potter Hall 409 270-745-3159 karl.laves@wku.edu Mrs. Huda N. Melky Director Office of Equal Opportunity/504/ADA Compliance Wetherby Administration Bldg G33 270-745-5121 huda.melky@wku.edu Dr. Brian Meredith Associate Vice President Enrollment Management Wetherby Administration Bldg 212 Brian.meredith@wku.edu Dr. Richard C. Miller, Committee Chair Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Chief Diversity Officer Wetherby Administration Bldg 239 270-745-5468 richard.c.miller@wku.edu Dr. Zubair M. Mohamed Department Chair Department of Management Grise Hall 202 270-745-6360 zubair.Mohamed@wku.edu Tracey E. Moore Assistant Professor Theatre and Dance Department Gordon Wilson Hall, 300 270-745-2849 tracey.moore@wku.edu Mrs. Martha J. Sales Director Talent Search Jones Jaggers 100-B 270-745-2135 martha.sales@wku.edu Dr. Saundra H. Starks Associate Professor Social Work Department Academic Complex 114 270-745-2692 (University Senate Representative) saundra.starks@wku.edu Ms. Jessica G. Staten Retention Coordinator Academic Advising and Retention Center Downing University Center A-330 270-745-5065 Jessica.staten@wku.edu Judy Walker Associate Professor School of Nursing South Campus 149C Judy.walker@wku.edu Deborah T. Wilkins. J.D. General Council Wetherby Administration Bldg 135 270-745-5398 deborah.wilkins@wku.edu Mr. Abraham Williams Director Housing Authority of Bowling Green P.O. Box 116 Bowling Green, KY 42102 270-843-6071 awilliams@habg.org Mrs. Finley C. Woodard Associate Director Office of Admissions Potter Hall 117 270-745-2551 finley.Woodard@wku.edu

The Office of Diversity Programs is intentional in its service delivery (i.e., leadership workshops, mentoring, co-operations, collaborations, etc.,) and our programs (I.e. lectures, speakers, forums, etc.) will be marketed university wide for the benefit of the entire WKU population.

Richard C. Miller, Chief Diversity Officer 1) Ensure achieved status in all eight categories of the Kentucky Plan, the state’s set of mandated measurables; 2) Play a central role in the development and promotion of diversity programs across the campus and in the broader Bowling Green area community; 3) Lead the University in ongoing discussions and definition of diversity to promote inclusion and acceptance of differences among people; 4) Promote diversity in learning outcomes and international learning experiences; 5) Assist in efforts to increase the hiring and retention of minority faculty and staff; 6) Assist in efforts to increase the recruitment, retention and graduation of minority students, and prepare as many as possible for graduate school at WKU; 7) Monitor achievement of diversity indicators in the WKU Strategic Plan; and 8) Select and administer the President’s Award for Diversity. 9) Serve as Chair of the WKU Diversity Enhancement Committee. Huda Melky is the Equal Opportunity Director and ADA Coordinator for Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/University ADA Services at Western Kentucky University. Her responsibilities include monitoring the University’s compliance with federal, state, and local legislation governing nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action, university programs inclusive of Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (as amended). Ms. Melky conducts workshops dealing with sexual harassment, diversity and disability issues, oversees recruitment, hiring, promotions, terminations, grievances, salaries, and other terms of employment regarding Affirmative Action programs. In addition, she serves on the University Diversity Advisory Board and is the Regional Director to the American Association for Affirmative Action. Since 1990, Ms. Melky has also served as Chair for the Higher Education ADA Task Force and is currently a member.