UM strives for administrative diversity
By: Dustin Azlin
Issue date: 11/4/09 Section: News
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LaDon Jones, director of the division of health services and systems research, has been chosen to represent The U of M in the Tennessee Board of Regents' Maxine Smith Fellows Program. The project, which lasts 10 months, is designed to provide minorities with more opportunities in academic administration. Fellows will sit in on decision and policy-making meetings and will finish a project related to their field.
Richard Rhoda, executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, will be Jones' mentor as he participates in the program. He said Jones was nominated by University President Shirley Raines and was selected by a TBR committee.
"(The goal) is to give emerging leaders exposure to other aspects of higher education which will help them along with their careers," he said.
The project received its name from noted civil rights leader Maxine Smith. Smith vigorously fought for the integration of African-Americans into schools throughout Memphis. She also served as a volunteer executive secretary for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.
"Maxine Smith is someone who has made tremendous inroads for others in civil rights, and particularly in higher education," Jones said. "Her leadership inspires others to achieve excellence."
Jones' appointment comes after a U of M professor accused The University of racial discrimination earlier this semester.
"Programs like this help make sure that there are minorities represented, and that's an important goal," Jones said.
Charles E. Menifield, associate professor in public administration, participated in the program last year and said the program has good goals, but the results are negligible.
"I don't expect it to be an overnight process," he said.
"I'm not confident that The University has done its due diligence to successfully recruit and maintain (black faculty). There are some baby-steps that we can take and I think some of those are being made, but not to the extent that they can be."
Menifield said that minorities are underrepresented in administration at The U of M and at most other TBR institutions.
"I think the number of African-American professors is low relative to the number of African-American students. I think there should be more African-American professors on this campus," he said.
Sandra Holmes, sophomore social work major, said she feels there is more The University could do to promote diversity in the administration.
"I think they are trying, but they still have a ways to go," she said.
Jones said that one of his goals in participating in the program was to be a positive role model in minority communities.
"It is incumbent of all of us to be role models, particularly in the African-American community and underserved communities," he said. "Being a role model is one of the most powerful factors in helping to inspire them."
Jones' ultimate goal is to bring everything he learns from this experience to the students at The U of M.
"I want to make sure that our program has high standards of education and that our students get the best education possible so they can go on and have great careers."