Saunders to direct McNair Scholars Program
Kimberly Saunders

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1:02 p.m., Jan. 25, 2011----Kimberly A. Saunders, formerly director of the Student Diversity Office in the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, has been named the new director of the McNair Scholars Program at the University of Delaware.

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Saunders is a 1992 graduate of the University of Delaware who also received a master's degree in counseling and college student personnel from Shippensburg (Pa.) University and a doctorate in higher education administration and community college education from George Mason University.

“Returning to my alma mater as the new McNair Scholars Program director grants me the opportunity to 'pay it forward' during this juncture of my career,” Saunders said. “The University of Delaware provided me with a rich educational foundation. I'm excited to assist this academic community in their pursuit to inspire and develop outstanding UD students towards promising futures.”

Saunders had been serving as director of the Student Diversity Office at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health since 2006 where she successfully restructured a nationally acclaimed diversity summer internship program and was charged with developing the recruitment and retention plan for the school's under-represented student population.

Previously, she served at George Mason University from 2002-06, as acting director of Diversity Programs and Services from 2005-06, as director of the Student Transition Empowerment Program from 2004-06 and as associate director of Diversity Programs and Services from 2002-05.

She also worked at Lebanon Valley College in Annville, Pa., from 1996-2002, holding various roles such as ombudsman and student activities director. Additionally she served as the college's first director of Multicultural Affairs from 1999-2002.

“We are very pleased to have Dr. Saunders joining the University,” said Maggie Andersen, interim deputy provost and Edward F. and Elizabeth Goodman Rosenberg Professor of Sociology. “She brings a rich array of experiences in student support, diversity, and multicultural education -- all of which will enrich the already successful and important McNair Program.”

“Kim Saunders will provide the leadership and vision to move the McNair Scholars program forward. We look forward to having her join our team in the Office of Undergraduate Research and Experiential Learning,” said Lynnette Overby, director of the office.

The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program, one of six federally funded TRIO Programs, is viewed as a prestigious opportunity for selected talented undergraduates students interested in pursuing advanced degrees. “I look forward to developing a collaborative mentoring environment, where undergraduate scholars can excel academically, interpersonally, and gain the competencies necessary to successfully pursue graduate degrees and become tomorrow's leaders,” Saunders said.

Article by Neil Thomas
Photo by Kathy Atkinson

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