Marquette is attempting to address campus diversity in its search for candidates to fill the new position of assistant provost of diversity.
University Provost Madeline Wake announced the creation of the position at the Pere Marquette dinner in the summer, and Associate Provost for Planning and Evaluation Doug Day said the search for applicants is underway.
Wake said consultants of a diversity task force approached University President the Rev. Robert A. Wild, Senior Vice President Greg Kliebhan and herself over the summer, and their suggestions led to the idea for an assistant provost of diversity.
"I think it's extremely important," Day said. "Our region, our country is becoming more diverse. It's not the same population."
The search began last week, Day said. He said he will begin reviewing applications Dec. 3 and continue to accept applications afterward.
"We will take applications past (Dec. 3) until the position is filled," Day said. "We want to make sure we get the word out and make as many people aware of this as possible."
Day said the provost would work with campus leaders to coordinate activities, give status reports to the Marquette community and oversee outreach efforts to institutions in areas such as southern Wisconsin and northeastern Illinois. Wake explained the person's duties further.
"What we expect this person to do is come up with a diversity plan and help us to increase the proportion of racial ethnic diversity in our students as well as our faculty and staff," Wake said. "I think this is really a crucial issue for Marquette at this time."
Day said a doctorate is preferred, but not required, and the person should possess leadership and teaching abilities. Wake said the person should definitely have understanding of multicultural development.
Day said he wanted it to be made clear that although a person of color may be a typical choice, it is not part of the criteria.
"Normally these positions have been filled by people of color," Day said. "It's not a requirement, but the ability to relate and interact with students and faculty of color is a key factor. We are actively seeking diverse candidates."
Day said he just began the search, but the process of "seeking diverse candidates" includes contacting diverse programs and institutions across the nation.
Although diversity encompasses many areas, the key focus, according to Day and Wake, will be diversity in races and ethnicities. Day said it is key to a well-rounded Marquette education.
"If we want to properly prepare our students they have to have experience with people from different backgrounds," Day said.
Wake echoed how crucial diversity is in preparing future leaders at Marquette and in the nation.
"None of our students have a real world view if we are mostly a community of white individuals," Wake said.
She said only 13 percent of this year's freshman class are diverse, in terms of race and ethinic backgrounds. This is unacceptable for Wake.
"That simply does not reflect society," she said. "In order to have leaders, we have to have a continual global community."
Day said he contacted the Ethnic Alumni Association Liaison to Advancement Jeffrey Wenzler, who said the position was great for the association.
"It's nothing but positive news," Wenzler said. "Anything in the diversity realm is going to be welcomed by the Ethnic Alumni Association."
Wenzler said the EAA began about nine years ago.
"Just in a short period of time we are already being consulted by the administration to offer some input," Wenzler said. "Expectations are high for this position."
Wenzler said the step would do more to promote diversity.
"The position is going to continue to define what diversity is as well as raise the bar," Wenzler said.