APSU names University of Evansville administrator as new chief diversity officer
(Posted April 11, 2019)
CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – LaNeeça R. Williams, chief diversity officer at the University of Evansville, was recently named chief diversity officer and Title IX coordinator at Austin Peay State University. She will begin her new role on July 1.
David Davenport, director of the Foy Fitness and Recreation Center, previously served as the University’s chief diversity officer in a part-time capacity. Earlier this year, the University conducted a national search for someone to take over the job on a full-time basis.
“This signifies our commitment to diversity at Austin Peay,” Dr. Alisa White, APSU president, said. “Not only were we successful on our first search, but we had a stellar pool of applicants who had extensive experience in diversity and Title IX issues. This was one of the strongest pools of applicants I’ve seen for several years of all the national searches we’ve conducted. Greg Singleton and the search committee did a remarkable job.”
Williams comes to APSU with more than 20 years of professional experience in the field. She began her career as executive director of the Minority Health Coalition of Vigo County, where she worked with city and community leaders and facilitated health workshops and sessions for Latino and African-American populations.
She went on to serve as interim director of Diversity and Affirmative Action at Indiana State University and director of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity and Student Conduct at Colorado State University, Pueblo.
In 2013, she was named chief diversity officer and interim deputy Title IX coordinator at the University of Evansville, where she developed the “Fellow Scholars Program.” This comprehensive program allowed underrepresented students to attend the university as a cohort group.
“This was a challenging search because we had such a strong pool of highly qualified applicants,” Greg Singleton, APSU dean of students and chair of the search committee, said. “LaNeeça Williams was an excellent choice. She brings a significant amount of distinguished service that will help Austin Peay move forward with our diversity efforts. Her experience and vibrant energy make for an excellent fit for our campus community.”
Williams earned a Master of Science degree in family and consumer science and a Bachelor of Science degree in child development and family life from Indiana State University.
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