11/06/97
ATHENS, Ohio -- Linda Daniels has been named the new director of Ohio University's Office of Multicultural Programs.
Daniels comes to Ohio University after 14 years at the University of Pittsburgh in Johnstown, where she served as assistant vice president for student affairs. She also worked as assistant to the dean of student life, assistant dean of students and associate dean of students. In these positions, she was responsible for new student orientation; student unions, activities and management; Greek affairs; and minority programming.
As director of multicultural programs, Daniels will advise the Black Student Cultural Programming Board and OU's National Pan-Hellenic Council, the governing body for the university's nine historically African-American fraternities and sororities. The Office of Multicultural Programs implements social, educational, recreational and cultural events for African-American, Native American, Asian-American and Hispanic/Latino students. The office coordinates observances of such events as Kwanzaa and Black History Month and oversees the Blackburn-Spencer Scholarship program that traditionally assists African-American students.
Daniels earned a bachelor's degree in journalism/communications at Point Park College in Pittsburgh and a master's in higher education administration at Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania.
Melissa Exum, associate vice president of student affairs, said she is most impressed by Daniels' experience working with students, student development issues and program creation and implementation.
"She's a new person for a new student and for a new time," Exum said, noting that as the demographics of the nation continue to evolve, so too will the makeup of Ohio University's student body.
Exum said Daniels fits in "very well with the educational mission of the university" and will help achieve President Robert Glidden's goal of increasing the diversity of the student body.
"As we look at students, African-American and Latino students, coming into a university that is predominantly white, they have very special needs," Exum said. An effective multicultural program can help meet those students' needs and also serve other students as they work to raise their sensitivity and understanding of other cultures, she said.
Daniels is optimistic about her new position. "All the people have been very welcoming," Daniels said. "I think it will be a positive experience and I'm looking forward to the challenge."
Daniels began work Oct. 6.