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By Sally Harris

BLACKSBURG, Va., July 20, 2005 -- Kevin G. McDonald, of Baltimore, former associate director for Compliance and Conflict Resolution at The Johns Hopkins University, has been named director of Virginia Tech’s Office for Equal Opportunity. He will begin work at Virginia Tech in July.

The Office for Equal Opportunity promotes equal opportunity and affirmative action in employment and the university's efforts to achieve inclusive educational and work environments. The office also provides training in equity, access and anti-discrimination/harassment policies through education and outreach and assists the university in responding to complaints of discrimination and harassment.

Linda Woodard, assistant vice president for personnel services and chair of the search committee, said, “We are very fortunate to be able to bring someone with Kevin’s experience and vision to the university. Over the past month, several of us began working with him on program ideas, and his enthusiasm and commitment to Virginia Tech are already very evident.”

McDonald developed and coordinated the implementation of Johns Hopkins University’s first online sexual-harassment and discrimination-prevention training programs and wrote the university’s first Anti-Harassment Policy. He created the university’s Mediation Services Program and facilitated conversations around topics such as civility, diversity, conflict resolution, and the recruitment and retention of diverse faculty, staff, and students.

McDonald coordinated Maryland’s second and third annual Hate Crime Summits, which raised institutional and state awareness regarding incidents/crimes of hate. He also coordinated and developed the Peer Mediation Program at the University of Maryland at College Park.

Before moving to Johns Hopkins, McDonald served as the campus compliance officer for the Office of Human Relations at the University of Maryland. Before that, he was the dispute administrator at Network Solutions Inc. in Herndon, Va., and the disability rights investigator for the Civil Rights Division of the Disability Rights Section of the United States Department of Justice.

“In addition to his experience with diversity and equal opportunity/affirmative action programs, Mr. McDonald has a background in mediation and conflict resolution that will add a new dimension to our Office for Equal Opportunity,” said Virginia Tech President Charles W. Steger. “I am confident that, under his leadership, that office will evolve to become an even greater resource for the university community.”

McDonald earned a bachelor’s degree from Andrews University and a Juris Doctor from The Ohio State University College of Law. He is a certified mediator in both traditional and transformative/social justice models of mediation and holds an affirmative-action certificate from Cornell University. He is a member of the Association for Conflict Resolution.

In the position of director of the Office for Equal Opportunity, McDonald will provide leadership and help advance all of the university’s affirmative action, equal opportunity, and diversity efforts, including compliance and outreach. He also will manage the OEO Office. In addition, he will work closely with the university’s senior management in developing and implementing equal opportunity and affirmative action plans and strategies and ensure the university’s compliance with all local, state, and federal civil-rights laws and regulations. Finally, he will provide advice to the university community on all equal employment opportunity/affirmative action issues.

McDonald will succeed David Travis, who has served as interim director of the OEO on a part-time basis since last summer. Among his accomplishments during his short tenure, Travis is credited with championing the new Anti-Discrimination and Harassment Prevention Policy that passed University Council in May.

Contact Sally Harris at VTnews@vt.edu or (540) 231-6759.

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