Three African Americans Appointed to Leadership Positions in Diversity

Melanie Duckworth has been named executive director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of Nevada Reno. A faculty member of the university’s department of psychology for over 20 years, she currently serves as associate dean of the College of Science and acting chair of the department of natural resources and environmental science.

Dr. Duckworth holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of New Orleans and a Ph.D. in clinical psychology from the University of Georgia.

Doug Thompson has been named the inaugural executive director of diversity and engagement in the Division of Student Affairs at the University of Notre Dame. For the past two decades, he has held various diversity, student affairs, academic advising, and enrollment management positions in higher education. He has been serving as the inaugural vice president for equity and inclusion at Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.

Dr. Thompson is a graduate of Southeastern Louisiana University where he majored in marketing. He holds a master’s degree in strategic communication and leadership from Seton Hall University in New Jersey and a doctorate in leadership for the advancement of learning and service from Cardinal Stritch University in Wisconsin.

Anthony E. Jones has been appointed the inaugural vice president for diversity and inclusion at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky. He has been serving as chief diversity officer for Slippery Rock University in Pennsylvania. Prior to that position, he was the associate dean for diversity and inclusion at Thiel College in Pennsylvania.

Dr. Jones received his bachelor’s degree in art and information systems from what is now the University of Mount Union in Ohio. He holds a master’s degree in student personnel and a doctorate in educational leadership and policy studies from Eastern Kentucky University.

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