Dr. Judy Alston to serve as interim DEI director at AU

ASHLAND, Ohio – AU Vice President for Student Affairs Robert Pool has announced that Dr. Judy Alston will serve as Interim Director for AU's diversity, equity and inclusion efforts this spring term.

Dr. Alston is Professor and Director of the Ed. D. in Leadership Studies at Ashland University. In 2010, she became the first Black woman to be promoted to Full Professor in the history of Ashland University. She earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration from The Pennsylvania State University; a M.Div. from Methodist Theological School in Ohio; a M.Ed. in Educational Administration; a M.Ed. in Secondary Education both from the University of South Carolina; and a B. A. in English from Winthrop College. She is the author of many articles, book chapters, and books including Herstories: Leading with the Lessons of the Lives of Black Women Activists, Multi-leadership in Urban Schools, and School Leadership and Administration: Important Concepts, Case Studies, & Simulations (7th-10th; upcoming 11thedition). She is co-editor of Purveyors of Change: School Leaders of Color Share Narratives of Student, School, and Community Success.

AU continues to pursue a welcoming, campus climate that exemplifies inclusive excellence in our relationships, teaching, service and programs. As we celebrate Black History Month and address the broad spectrum of challenges and opportunities ahead, we encourage each member of the Ashland community to live out your unique identities and God-given gifts while supporting our diversity efforts. Dr. Alston will focus her interim priorities on advising key student organizations and interns, and collaborating with campus and community leaders to attract, train and retain talented, diverse students, faculty and staff at AU.

Ashland University is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.###