March 11, 2004
Carmen Suarez named to diversity, equity post
CARBONDALE, Ill. - Carmen Suarez, former assistant dean for career services at SIUC's School of Law, has been hired into the
"Carmen has the academic and professional background that will help SIUC move forward with minority recruitment and retention efforts of students, faculty and staff," Bryson said. "We were pleased to be able to offer her this position after we learned that she was being considered for a similar position at the Minnesota State University at Mankato."newly created position of coordinator of diversity and equity at SIUC effective March 15. In the new role, she will report to Seymour Bryson, associate chancellor for diversity.
Suarez will also be responsible for seeking grants that will support minority programs.
"I'm really looking forward to helping the institution meet its diversity objectives as outlined in our long-range plan, Southern@150," Suarez said. "I could have taken a job heading up diversity efforts at Mankato, but I am very pleased to be staying at SIUC in this new capacity.
Suarez's experience with affirmative action and minority recruitment and retention is extensive. She served as SIUC's Hispanic Community Liaison from 1994 to 1997 and as an affirmative action officer for SIUC from 1990 to 1994. In those roles she represented SIUC in the Chicago area and directed and implemented affirmative action plans.
Suarez holds two degrees from SIUC, a bachelor's degree in history (1980) and a master's degree in medieval history (1983). She is working on a doctoral degree in higher education administration.
She was hired as assistant dean in the School of Law in 1997. For three years before that she worked at Time Definite Services in Elk Grove Village, Ill., directing all facets of affirmative action and personnel administration. She serves as an adviser to the Hispanic Student Council and the Hispanic Law Student Association.
She serves on Carbondale's Human Relations Commission and the Southern Illinois Healthcare Diversity Committee.
She was named an SIUC Woman of Distinction in 2002, an honor that recognizes women who make significant contributions to the University and community.