KU News Release

Fred Rodriguez named interim associate vice provost for diversity and equity

Fred Rodriguez

LAWRENCE — Veteran educator Fred Rodriguez has been named interim associate vice provost for diversity and equity at the University of Kansas.

“Fred is a proven leader who will help KU continue to ensure the diversity of our student body is matched by the diversity of our faculty and staff,” said Richard Lariviere, provost and executive vice chancellor. “Fred has worked directly with students as a teacher and as director of the Multicultural Scholars Program. He’s also dedicated to outstanding teaching and was instrumental in leading the Center for Teaching Excellence. He’ll bring that same dedication to this new position.”

Rodriguez succeeds Maurice Bryan, who on July 1 will become director of employment practices at California State University-Chico.

“I am looking forward to stepping into this new leadership role, which will allow me to promote diversity and equity throughout KU,” said Rodriguez. “I look forward to working with the entire university community, and with KU’s partners and supporters, to ensure KU continues to make gains in these areas.”

As interim vice provost for diversity and equity, Rodriguez will advise the chancellor, provost and other top administrators on diversity issues and focus on the recruitment, retention and development of underrepresented faculty and staff.

Under Chancellor Robert Hemenway, who has made increasing the diversity of KU’s faculty a priority during his tenure, the number of multicultural faculty members has increased by 83 percent and the number of female faculty members has increased by 60 percent.

An associate professor in the School of Education’s Department of Curriculum and Teaching, Rodriguez also serves as director of both the Multicultural Scholars Program and the Professional Development Schools Alliance.

Rodriguez has held a number of administrative positions in the School of Education, including interim dean from 2004 to 2005. He was director of the Center for Teaching Excellence from 1997 to 2001.

Rodriguez earned his bachelor’s degree from Chadron State College before going on to earn his master’s and doctorate from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

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