Ona Tolliver: Providing a unique perspective

When Ona Tolliver started working in the Dean of Students Office as a student employee in 1989, she never thought it would someday lead to the career she has now. Tolliver is director of the Women's Center and Commuter and Nontraditional Student Services.

"When I graduated, there was a different position called assistant to the director of intercultural services in the dean's office that was open and I applied for it. I didn't really think that I would get it, but I'm glad that I did," Tolliver says.

Because of her background as a student employee, Tolliver says she has a unique perspective of UNT.

"I've seen it grow and change from both sides — the student's and the employee's. North Texas still has the same mission, though. I'm only a small component of a larger picture," she says.

Tolliver graduated from UNT with a bachelor of arts degree in radio, television and film in 1991 and a master of education degree in 2000.

"If I had it to do again, I probably would get a degree in psychology or counseling because I love the field that I'm in now. I didn't even know that a job like this existed. It exposes me to so many different things," Tolliver says.

As director of the Women's Center, Tolliver promotes women's issues such as safety and empowerment. She helped establish a self-defense class for women and also handles the promotion of Women's History Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.

"Women have special needs and concerns that we must address. I hope to help them continue to feel like a part of the university community and provide any services that they need," she says.

Tolliver also addresses the specific needs of commuter students and nontraditional students, including transportation issues and the common feeling among these students that they are not connected to the university.

"We have to make them (commuters and nontraditional students) feel like they are part of the university community and that they are connected to campus," Tolliver says.

Besides helping the students of North Texas, Tolliver enjoys traveling, reading, cooking and spending time with her family.

BY ALLISON YEAMAN kreese@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Price named System Center executive director
• More Teach to the Future funding announced
• Shrader appointed interim VP for development
• Merchandising, hospitality management dean fostering growth, cooperation with industry
• Sociologist studies use of self-managed work teams
• Geology trail is newest EESAT complex addition
• Journalism lab named for Fort Worth Star-Telegram editor
• UNT teams up with Army and Air Force Exchange Service for retail training
• UNT Athletics ticket packages for sale soon
• MC/PAIS moving this month
• Grandparents face special challenges when raising grandchildren
• UNT Psychology Clinic to offer group for children of divorced parents
• Elm Fork Education Center collecting plastic bottles, egg cartons for camp

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