The news comes a day after the university announced it was keeping former President Woodrow Wilson's name
PRINCETON -- Princeton University announced the hiring of a dean for diversity and inclusion on Tuesday, a day after the board of trustees voted to keep former President Woodrow Wilson's name on its public policy school.
LaTanya Buck, founding director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion in St. Louis, Missouri, will start in August.
LaTanya Buck was named Princeton's new dean for diversity and inclusion. (Courtesy photo) "I am elated to join the Princeton University community and campus life division to engage students and colleagues in diversity, inclusion and equity efforts," Buck said in a statement. "I look forward to serving in this inaugural role and collaborating with campus partners and identity-focused units to assist in creating synergy and cohesion to have a greater impact on the overall student experience."
The new position was a recommendation that came out of the school's special task force on diversity, equity and inclusion, which issued its report last May.
But racial issues were brought to the forefront in November when the Black Justice League staged a 32-hour sit-in inside the president's office, demanding Wilson's name be removed from programs and buildings and for other changes that would create a more diverse and inclusive campus.
Buck has worked at Washington University in St. Louis since July 2014 and previously served as director of the Cross Cultural Center at St. Louis University.
In her new role, she will be responsible for providing a vision and integrated programs for diversity, equity and inclusion to enhance campus life and will supervise the Carl A. Fields Center for Equality and Cultural Understanding, the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Center and the Women's Center.
Cristina Rojas may be reached at crojas@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @CristinaRojasTT. Find The Times of Trenton on Facebook.