Myra Gordon, associate provost for diversity, has announced her retirement effective at the conclusion of the fall 2015 semester.
Gordon, who joined Kansas State University in 2002, has led the university’s award-winning recruitment and retention programs that target multicultural students, faculty and staff, as well as collaborative efforts with colleges, departments and units, external constituency groups and national organizations focused on enhancing diversity. Gordon also served as chair of the President’s Commission on Multicultural Affairs as well as advisor to the Black Student Union. Her campus leadership has been visible in many forms.
Successful diversity initiatives have included Project IMPACT, which is a best-practice pipeline of programs to recruit, graduate, and place record numbers of multicultural students in agriculture, business, and engineering fields; Diversity Summits and MLK Observances, which bring all campus groups together to grow in cultural competence and to celebrate cultural diversity; and Well-Made Leadership Programs, which target first-generation multicultural students in the eight most challenged counties in Kansas.
“Dr. Gordon will leave a lasting legacy at K-State,” said President Kirk Schulz. “Her leadership has resulted in significant progress and the most diverse student body ever for the university. We greatly appreciate her tireless efforts.”
K-State was recognized last year with three national awards for commitment to diversity and inclusion. These awards included the Insight into Diversity, Inc. HEED award presented annually to U.S. colleges and institutions based on the excellence of initiatives addressing all aspects of diversity.
A national search for leadership in the office of diversity will be undertaken with details to be shared soon.
“Diversity is essential to education and is something we will continue to fully embrace at K-State,” said Provost and Senior Vice President April Mason. “It also is a crucial component of our 2025 strategic plan, and this leadership position is important to ensuring continued progress.”
