Contact: Michael Padilla, 277-1816

July 8, 2002 Robert A. Ibarra named to lead UNM's diversity initiatives University of New Mexico President William Gordon today announced the appointment of Robert A. Ibarra as special assistant to the president for diversity initiatives effective immediately. The new position was created “to direct and coordinate the University’s strategic diversity initiatives, to include recruitment and retention efforts for women and minorities in underutilized faculty and staff job categories,” Gordon said. Ibarra, who was selected in a national search process, will develop a plan to help UNM achieve its diversity goals in attracting and retaining underrepresented faculty and staff. “Professor Ibarra brings a significant and impressive record of experience in academic administrative positions and in other positions that involved his working closely with individuals from underrepresented groups. The depth and breadth of his experience are very appreciable. The importance of this position is underscored by the fact that he will report directly to the UNM President. We look forward to his contributions,” Gordon said. Ibarra said his first priority is define the mission and objective of the newly created position and to meet with the campus community. “I plan to meet with as many people as possible to hear issues, concerns and successes as well,” Ibarra said. “It is important to know what the needs are from the various people on main campus as well as the other campuses and their communities.” From 1995 to 2001, Ibarra served as assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs at the University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW-Madison), where his duties included supporting faculty initiatives for collaboration with historically Black colleges and universities, Tribal colleges and Hispanic serving institutions as a member of the Provost’s Committee for Inter-institutional Cooperation. Prior to his most recent position, Ibarra was dean in residence for the Council of graduate Schools in Washington, D.C. in 1994-95, where he conducted funded research on Latinas/os in graduate education and was a liaison to President Clinton’s Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanic Americans. He also previously served as assistant dean of The Graduate School, Office of Fellowships and Minority Programs at UW-Madison, 1989-97; and as assistant dean of the College of Letters and Science also at UW-Madison, 1986-89. He also was a legislative assistant, Wisconsin State Senate, 1985-86; equal rights officer, Wisconsin State Personnel Commission, Madison, 1984-85; employment opportunity specialist, Wisconsin State Division of Affirmative Action, 1983-84; and, administrator, Mexican-American Migrant and Bilingual Education Programs, Arlington Heights, Ill, 1969-71. He also was an assistant and, later, associate professor of Anthropology at Ft. Lewis College, Durango, Colo, 1976-84; and also served, at various times as a part-time instructor at Madison Area Technical College, Wis; University of Wisconsin Colleges, Baraboo, Wis; Beloit College, Beloit, Wis; and UW-Madison. Ibarra earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology and anthropology from Northern Illinois University in 1969. He earned his master’s and Ph.D. in Social/Cultural Anthropology in 1972 and 1976, respectively, both from UW-Madison. ###

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