He will begin work in June 2013. The position was created to enhance the campus culture and direct all diversity efforts.

“We are pleased that Rickey will be joining us. He has a strong background in achieving the goals that we have for enhancing our learning environment,” Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek said. “Diversity, civility, and community are core campus values. They create a more robust academic environment. They make our university a more welcoming—and more interesting—place for all of us.”

Hall will report to the chancellor and work closely with administrators, related commissions and organizations, and other members of the campus community. He will help recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff and increase the enrollment and retention of diverse students.

“I am humbled and deeply honored to be appointed the founding vice chancellor for diversity,” he said. “There are many good diversity initiatives under way at the university, and I think I can help move those forward. I look forward to working with the campus community on inclusive excellence and making diversity truly an educational benefit.”

Hall has been at the University of Minnesota since 1998 and in his current position since 2007. Prior to that he served as the university’s associate to the vice president for equity and diversity. He established the Office of Multicultural Service at the university’s School of Public Health in 2002 and served as its director for four years. He simultaneously served as director of recruitment for the School of Public Health for two years. He directed the Minority Student Program of the university’s Morris campus for four years.

From 1995 to 1998, he was the director of student diversity programs and services at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa.

Hall serves as a regional coordinator for the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities (APLU) Commission on Access, Diversity, and Excellence.

He will complete his Doctor of Education in organizational leadership at the University of Minnesota next year. He has a master’s degree in higher education and a bachelor’s degree in American studies, both from the University of Iowa.

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C O N T A C T :

Amy Blakely (974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)

John O. Bello-Ogunu, Sr., associate vice president and chief diversity officer at the College of Charleston, will speak from 10:00 to 11:15 a.m. on Tuesday, October 16, in the Shiloh Room, 235 University Center.

Melva “Cookie” Newsom, director of diversity education and assessment at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will speak from 9:30 to 10:45 a.m. on Thursday, October 18, in the Shiloh Room, 235 University Center.

For those who can’t attend, the forums will be webcast live and archived for viewing later.

Two other candidates were on campus last week. Rickey L. Hall is the assistant vice president for equity and diversity at the University of Minnesota. Watch his forum here.

Ken D. Coopwood, Sr., is vice president for diversity and inclusion at Missouri State University. Watch his session here.

The campus community is encouraged to submit questions and feedback online. For more information about each candidate, as well as links to the webcasts and feedback form, visit the Office of the Chancellor website.

Applications for qualified candidates are now being accepted.

“Diversity, civility, and community are core campus values,” said Chancellor Jimmy G. Cheek. “They enhance the academic environment and support a robust educational experience for its students. Diversity is a key component of our Vol Vision strategic plan and effort to become a Top 25 public research university.”

The vice chancellor for diversity will report to the chancellor and serve on the chancellor’s cabinet. He or she will work closely with deans, department heads, directors; the Chancellor’s Commissions for Blacks, LGBT people, and Women; the Council for Diversity and Interculturalism; and other campus leaders.

The new vice chancellor will be responsible for:

• helping to recruit and retain diverse faculty and staff;
• increasing the enrollment and retention of diverse undergraduate, graduate, and professional students;
• promoting a campus environment that appreciates individual differences, values equal opportunity for all, and serves to eliminate barriers based on factors such as race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status;
• establishing systems of accountability for diversity matters throughout the university; and
• other duties as assigned by the chancellor.

Applicants for the new vice chancellor position should:

• have a doctorate or terminal degree. A master’s degree is required.
• have sufficient academic credentials to be a faculty member.
• be knowledgeable about Affirmative Action, Equal Employment Opportunity, LGBT issues, and inclusion, particularly in higher education or similarly complex organizations.
• have experience in supervising employees, managing a budget and implementing programs.
• be a visionary leader with management skills necessary to enhance diversity and equity issues in a scholarly setting.
• be involved in national associations and conferences related to promoting diversity and inclusivity.
• understand how being culturally competent will help students perform in a multicultural workforce and global economy.
• be an effective communicator.
• understand how a major research university works.

The UT search committee is chaired by Bob Rider, dean of the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences. Members are Vincent Anfara, president of the UT Faculty Senate and head of the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies; Avery Howard, an undergraduate student; Ernest Brothers, assistant dean of the Graduate School; Wanda Costen, associate professor in the Department of Retail, Hospitality and Tourism Management; Shane Colter, office of information technology; R.J. Hinde, associate dean and professor, College of Arts and Sciences; Margie Nichols, vice chancellor for communications; Mary Papke, English professor; Anton Reece, director of the Student Success Center; Jennifer Richter, associate director of the Office of Equity and Diversity; Todd Skelton, graduate student; and Donna Thomas, director of the Thornton Athletics Student Life Center.

Applications, due by August 22, 2012, should include a cover letter, a resume or curriculum vitae, and five or more references. Electronic applications are encouraged and should be sent to Gary Daugherty at gdaugherty@parkersearch.com or Porsha L. Williams at pwilliams@parkersearch.com. Applications should be mailed to Daugherty or Williams at Parker Executive Search, Five Concourse Parkway, Suite 2900, Atlanta, Georgia 30328.

For more information, contact Rider at 974-2201 or the search firm at (770) 804-1996.

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C O N T A C T :

Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, ablakely@utk.edu)