Monday, March 21, 2022

Dear UNT Community,

I am pleased to welcome Dr. Teresa R. McKinney back to UNT as our new assistant vice president and director for diversity and inclusion within the Division of Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access. Her appointment was effective March 7.

She brings with her more than 20 years of leadership experience in academia, and will oversee developing and implementing diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. She'll work to develop a socially just and intentionally inclusive environment for students, faculty and staff through cultural humility and inclusion, education and identity development trainings, and community engagement and strategic partnerships such as UNT's Equity and Diversity Conference.

For the last three years, Teresa has served at Texas Southern University in Houston as vice president for student services and enrollment management. Among her many responsibilities, she oversaw the effective operation of Admissions, Auxiliary Services (Housing, Dining, Student Center, Bookstore), Financial Aid, Career Center, Disability Services, Food Pantry, and the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Pride Center, which she developed and launched.

While previously at UNT, Teresa served as assistant vice president for student affairs, health and wellness, where she oversaw Counseling and Testing Services, Assessment, Office of Disability Access, Pohl Recreation Center, Student Health and Wellness Center, and Student Money Management Center from 2013 to 2019. She also served as the division representative on the President's Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. To learn more about Teresa, read the news release announcing her appointment.

Her efforts to foster inclusion and diversity while ensuring equity and access for students, faculty and staff who work and learn at UNT will be especially important as the university continues its commitment to fight against racism and bias, and creating social justice and equity.

I'm so thrilled that Teresa has decided to return to UNT to guide the important programs, training and services that we offer to support the university community. Her breadth of knowledge about all things UNT will be invaluable to me as we continue working to create a more understanding and caring campus and further our strides in enhancing diversity, equity and inclusion at UNT.

Please join me in welcoming Teresa back to our UNT family.

Sincerely,

Joanne G. Woodard

Vice President for Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Access