 | Valerie O. Hayes |
Provost Susan Hockfield has announced that Valerie O. Hayes has been named director of the Office for Equal Opportunity Programs and special adviser to the provost.
Hayes' appointment, which becomes effective March 17, is the result of a nationwide search that followed the retirement of Frances Holloway, who served the University as director of the office for over 30 years.
Hayes has over 20 years experience with equal opportunity initiatives. She directed equal opportunity offices at the University of Pennsylvania and Cornell University, and served as an affirmative action officer for the State of Connecticut.
"I am delighted to welcome Valerie back to Connecticut and to our campus," said Hockfield. "She brings to Yale an impressive record of achievement, boundless enthusiasm, and a deep commitment to diversity. Based upon my experience in creating the Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity in the Graduate School, I am excited by what can be achieved through the collaborative efforts of individuals and organizations across the campus. I know that Valerie will stimulate such efforts and that the University community will benefit immeasurably from her presence."
In her new post, Hayes will work with Yale leaders and members of the campus community to promote and maintain an environment where diversity is valued and cultivated. She will advise the University officers on new legislation, national trends, and innovative practices that have been effective at other institutions. She will offer information and assistance to schools, departments and other groups regarding diversity goals, recruitment strategies, hiring decisions, and discrimination concerns. She will also work to ensure that the University's equal opportunity guidelines and programs meet federal and state requirements and will serve as the University's liaison to federal and state agencies that oversee equal opportunity programs. In addition, she will oversee Yale's Resource Office for Students and Employees with Disabilities and work with Judy York, the director of the office, and campus groups to address issues of access and accommodations for people with disabilities.
Hayes comes to Yale from the University of Pennsylvania, where she has been executive director of the Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs since 1997. There, she instituted a number of innovative campus and regional programs designed to raise awareness of diversity issues. Previously, Hayes worked in Cornell University's Office of Equal Opportunity, beginning as assistant director in 1989 and becoming director in 1993.
Before working in academia, Hayes was affirmative action administrator for the Connecticut Department of Human Resources (1986-1989) and senior affirmative action officer for the state's Department of Mental Health (1983-1986). She was an employment specialist for the Urban League of Greater New Haven (1978-1983). She also worked as a consultant on affirmative action issues for the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, the Tompkins County Government in New York and the Connecticut Department of Human Resources.
Hayes holds a B.A. from the University of Connecticut and a M.S.W. from UConn's School of Social Work. She also earned a J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law (now the Quinnipiac School of Law).
"Creating diversity is all about building a community, about what we want Yale to be," says Hayes. "I look forward to talking with students, administrators, faculty, staff and alumni to find out what their needs are and to find new ways to build awareness about and address these important issues."
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