In a related administrative appointment, Terry M. Whittaker, assistant dean of the Lerner College of Business and Economics, has been named to the newly created position of assistant provost for student diversity and success.

"This new post has been in development since the fall to enhance and strengthen coordination and support for UD diversity programs and students," Rich said. "I'm pleased that Terry Whittaker has accepted this important appointment. He is a respected and accomplished member of our community with a record of achievement in support of student diversity and success."

In his new role, Whittaker will be responsible for working with other academic leaders and program directors to develop, implement and sustain University-wide policies and programs designed to increase the enrollment and academic success of academically talented and diverse undergraduate and graduate students.

"I am excited about this opportunity to work in collaboration with all constituencies of our University to enhance diversity and academic excellence among our student body," Whittaker said. "The American Association of Colleges and Universities challenges higher education to think more deeply about what individuals learn from their campus experiences and how that learning constrains or enriches the quality and vitality of their campus and American communities. The research shows that when a campus is recognized as making a significant commitment to diversity, all students gain educationally."

Whittaker also will chair a newly proposed University Council on Student Diversity and Success that will coordinate and extend programs that support the recruitment and success of a diverse undergraduate and graduate student body and that will encourage students' intellectual, cultural and ethical development as citizens, scholars and professionals. Representatives of academic and student support services, directors of programs designed to enhance student success and representatives of student organizations will be invited to become members of the council.

A UD administrator for 20 years, Whittaker has served the Lerner College of Business and Economics since 1992, where his responsibilities have included management and development of college initiatives and programs to enhance student diversity and success, including the establishment and direction of the successful Fortune Program, which serves minority business and economics students and includes pre-college initiatives and comprehensive academic support and professional development programs.

He joined the college as assistant dean for student special services in 1992, became assistant dean for professional development in 1997 and was named assistant dean for undergraduate academic affairs in the Academic and Professional Development Center in 1999.

From 1987-92, Whittaker served as director of undergraduate advisement in the College of Engineering, and from 1983-87, he directed the college's RISE (Resources to Insure Successful Engineers) Program, a nationally recognized minority student engineering program.

A graduate of the University of Wisconsin at Madison, Whittaker received a master's degree from the University of Minnesota and is currently a doctoral candidate in higher education administration at UD.