2016-2018 Faculty Associates for Diversity

Kent State University's Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Todd Diacon, and Vice President for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Alfreda Brown, jointly announced on July 7, 2016 the appointment of six faculty members as 2016-2018 Provost Faculty Associates for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. 

• Lisa Audet, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology, will serve as faculty associate for Faculty and Graduate Student Retention, Inclusion and Success.
   
• Assistant Professor Tina Bhargava, DrPH, from the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, will serve as faculty associate for the Student Multicultural Center.
   
• Josefina Grau, Ph.D., associate professor from the Department of Psychological Sciences, will serve as faculty associate for Faculty and Graduate Student Retention, Inclusion and Success. 
   
• Linda Hoeptner-Poling, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Art, will serve as faculty associate for the Women's Center and the Office of Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS).
   
• Associate Professor Dianne Kerr, Ph.D., from the School of Health Sciences, will serve in a one-year appointment as faculty associate for the Women's Center and the Office of Sexual and Relationship Violence Support Services (SRVSS).
   
• Walter Gershon, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Teaching, Learning and Curriculum Studies, will serve in a one-year appointment as faculty associate for the Student Multicultural Center. 
   

Provost faculty associates support recruitment and retention of underrepresented, highly qualified faculty, staff and students, and the university's mission to build a more inclusive environment at Kent State. 

"I applaud and thank the 2016-2018 faculty associate for their commitment to diversity as evidenced by their teaching goals, comprehensive research that impacts our students, and interest and service to the university," Brown said. "I look forward to working with the associates and to the many exciting possibilities and ultimate success we will gain through their expertise and support."