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Dear Colleagues:

Later this morning, we will issue a news release announcing that after an extensive national search, we have selected Dr. Candy McCorkle as our new vice president for diversity and inclusion. Her appointment is effective Aug. 1.

Dr. McCorkle is an experienced higher education administrator, a professor and a diversity leader. She is committed to not only sustaining our culture of inclusivity but also assuring WMU is the "gold standard for diversity and inclusion."

I have no doubt that we will continue to be a place where every person is recognized as a valued member of the campus community and treated with respect. And I know that under Dr. McCorkle's leadership we will discover new and better ways to sustain our dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Dr. McCorkle is an alumna of our great University; she earned her doctoral degree in counselor education and supervision here. She also holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from Wright State University and a master's degree in clinical psychology from Eastern Michigan University.

Since 2016, she has led diversity and inclusion efforts at Alma College. During her tenure, she developed and implemented programming to promote diversity and inclusion on campus, facilitated diversity education for faculty, staff and Â鶹´«Ã½s, and she has collaborated with the administration on creating policies and practices that foster inclusiveness. She also has worked with high schools in Detroit to help Â鶹´«Ã½s gain access to higher education.

Previously, Dr. McCorkle served at Jackson College as assistant dean of the honors college, at Central Michigan University as director of the Global Campus Counseling Program in the Department of Counseling and Special Education, and Spring Arbor University as director of the Master of Arts in counseling.

She also has been an assistant professor of counseling and special education at CMU and an associate professor of psychology at SAU, as well as a substance abuse prevention consultant in Battle Creek and a substance abuse therapist in Jackson.

We have an exemplary new colleague in Dr. McCorkle. Please welcome her to our community.

I also want to acknowledge Dr. Martha Warfield's work as our very first vice president for diversity and inclusion. She has served in that role for the past eight years, but has dedicated more than 25 years of professional service to WMU. Join me in thanking Martha for her work and congratulating her on a well-earned retirement.

Please also join me in thanking the 12-member Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Search Advisory Committee, led by Dr. Yvette D. Hyter, professor of speech, language and hearing sciences. The committee worked intensively over a short period to review and interview many accomplished candidates. We are grateful for the crucial role committee members played in finding our talented new vice president.

Sincerely,

Edward Montgomery
President