James Stewart Appointed Interim Senior Faculty Mentor
October 9, 2000
University Park, Pa. —James B. Stewart, professor of labor studies and industrial relations, and African and African American studies, has been appointed to serve as interim senior faculty mentor at Penn State. He will be replacing John Tippeconnic, professor of education, who had agreed to serve in that position for the academic year, and will be continuing as director of the University's American Indian leadership program.

In his new role, Stewart will address a wide range of issues that impact the recruitment and retention of minority faculty. His goals for the year include a systematic assessment of the development needs of faculty of color, strengthening communication between graduate students and faculty, and the use of e-mail and the Internet to increase communication among minority faculty and to enhance the visibility of their research, teaching, and outreach activities.

"We are pleased to have Jim Stewart provide leadership in this important position," says Rodney A. Erickson, Penn State's executive vice president and provost. "His experience and understanding of the University makes him ideally situated to serve in this role for the coming year."

Stewart has held a variety of positions at the University, including director of the former Black Studies Program, chair of the equal opportunity planning committee, and was the University's first vice provost for educational equity. He has served as president of the National Economic Association and is currently president of the National Council for Black Studies.

His research interests include human resource economics, the philosophy and methodology of Africana studies, black families, and diversity management in private and public sector organizations. His honors and awards include the Humanitarian Service Award from the Forum on Black Affairs, the Presidential Award from the National Council for Black Studies, and the Penn State University Equal Opportunity Award.

Stewart will be working directly with Terrell Jones, vice provost for educational equity and Evelynn Ellis, director of the Office of Graduate Educational Equity.

Contact: Amy Neil, Department of Public Information, at (814) 865-7517 or .