Western’s approach to equal opportunity and diversity is strongest as a shared responsibility across the university. From the exemplary work of the Admissions Office, which won the diversity achievement award last year, to the committed recruitment done by departments and the Office of Human Resources, it is clear that teamwork among and leadership within all units and partners are critical to our success.

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As we move forward together to implement the diversity goals outlined by President Shepard in his mid-year report to campus on Feb. 12 related to hiring and retention of diverse faculty and staff and recruitment and retention of a diverse student body, it will be useful to know about two key roles in Western’s administrative structure that will support our efforts.

Sue Guenter-Schlesinger

As the vice provost for Equal Opportunity and Employment Diversity, Sue Guenter-Schlesinger provides institution-wide leadership, consultation and administrative support for recruitment and retention of a diverse workforce and serves as the campus Americans With Disabilities Act coordinator.

She and the staff of the Equal Opportunity Office serve faculty, staff and students in ensuring that the campus climate is free from discrimination and sexual harassment through the development and implementation of campus-wide education and training programs designed to maximize awareness of discrimination issues, diversity and campus culture.

Handling complaints related to discrimination and sexual harassment is a legal responsibility of the Equal Opportunity Office that is not delegated to other departments. If you have a complaint or a complaint comes to your attention, it should be referred to the Equal Opportunity Office.

Kunle Ojikutu

Kunle Ojikutu, the special assistant to the president for diversity and assistant vice provost for student affairs, is a primary advisor to the president on diversity.

He is responsible for keeping abreast of diversity issues, maintaining relationships with the community concerning diversity, managing the MAP scholarships and the president’s diversity fund and serving as a campus-wide resource and collaborator in the implementation of diversity initiatives university-wide, including participation in the recruitment of diverse students and staff.

Leadership that brings our skills and commitment together is vital to success of our collective diversity efforts. These two colleagues, who serve in complementary, mutually reinforcing roles, are excellent resources for all our efforts.

For more information about these two roles and about diversity at Western, click on “Diversity” at the top of the WWU home page at http://www.wwu.edu/.