The University of Wyoming Board of Trustees today (Thursday) honored UW Associate Vice President for Diversity Nell Russell with the Trustees' Award of Merit.

The award was established in 1984 to recognize members of the faculty, staff, student body or university community who have given meritorious service or made exemplary contributions to UW.

During her eight years at UW, Russell has "instilled confidence in processes that are fair and equitable, and developed clear strategies related to diversity that have a meaningful impact on our campus community," UW President Tom Buchanan says.

Russell plans to retire from UW this summer.

Among her accomplishments, Russell has developed a mandatory sexual harassment prevention training program; created the university's Diversity Program and helped insert diversity goals in UW's strategic plan; worked with a group of scholars and administrators to develop a new diversity statement for UW; and established relationships with a number of historically black colleges and universities.

"Nell has made significant and positive impacts on the university that will last for decades and has set a standard of excellence for all of the university community," Buchanan says.

Before coming to UW in 2004, Russell was director of EEO compliance and Title IX coordinator at the University of Akron. She also worked as the director of affirmative action at Brown University and Northeastern University.

Source: University of Wyoming