CHARLESTON, W.Va. - On Wednesday, April 25, the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission (Commission) will host "Enhancing Diversity in Higher Education: A Collaborative Approach," a one-day conference aimed at increasing awareness regarding today's global society. The conference will begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Charleston Marriott Town Center in downtown Charleston.

Dr. John T. Wolfe, Jr., Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity and Academic Leadership Development for the University System of Maryland, will serve as the keynote speaker. Dr. Wolfe's keynote address, "Customizing/Tailoring Collaborative Approaches to Achieving Diversity: All Things Considered," will provide an overview of diversity at the national level and ways to create a focused, collaborative approach to promote diversity in West Virginia. Dr. Wolfe previously served as President of Kentucky State University and Savannah State University as well as Executive Director of the National PUSH (People United to Serve Humanity)/Rainbow Coalition, a multi-racial, multi-issue, progressive, international membership organization for social change.

In addition to the keynote speaker, the conference will include panel discussions with representatives from the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB), The Education Alliance, The Charleston Area Alliance, and colleges and universities across the state.

Conference registration is open to the public with a specialized focus on colleges and universities, community groups and organizations, faith-based organizations, businesses and corporations, and non-profit groups.

The conference is part of an on-going diversity initiative, which is led by a statewide Diversity Council (Council). The purpose of the Council is to enhance the Commission's efforts to provide equitable opportunities in order to create diverse academic communities and to increase the overall retention and graduation rates for the state's four-year public colleges and universities. The Council includes a representative from each of the Commission's member institutions. Council representatives are working at their respective institutions and in their local communities to create Campus and Community Teams, which will provide recommendations to the Council for presentation to and consideration by the full Commission.

Source: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission