DENTON (UNT), Texas – Joanne Woodard has been named the new vice president for diversity and inclusion at the University of North Texas.

Joanne's deep experience and expertise are key ingredients for the development and implementation of modern diversity, inclusion, access, community engagement and employment equity operations at UNT," said UNT President Neal Smatresk.

In Joanne, I believe we have an experienced, energetic thought leader who will work collaboratively with academic and administrative units to ensure UNT is a welcoming environment for all members of our university, and who will reach out to build new alliances, partnerships and collaborations in the communities we serve," said Smatresk.

Woodard starts her position at the beginning of summer.

She has more than 25 years' experience in higher education, most recently serving as vice provost for institutional equity and diversity and chief diversity officer at North Carolina State University, where she oversees the planning, implementation and evaluation of diversity initiatives, affirmative action and federal and state equal opportunity compliance. Woodard also oversees four centers that serve the NC State community, and ensures support for the recruitment and retention of a diverse faculty, staff and student body.

Woodard has won multiple awards for her diversity work, including two in 2014 – the Leadership in Diversity award from the Triangle Business Journal and the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award from Insight into Diversity.

I am honored to have been selected as vice president for diversity and inclusion at the University of North Texas," said Woodard. "I was particularly impressed with the support for diversity and equity exhibited by faculty, staff and students during the search process. I look forward to working with President Smatresk to provide leadership for diversity and inclusion efforts and to becoming a member of the vibrant UNT community."

Woodard began her institutional equity and diversity activities at NC State in 1997 as the Vice Provost for Equal Opportunity and Equity. She has served as a lecturer in history at NC State University and University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Woodard received her Bachelor of Arts in History from Winston-Salem State University and a Master's in History from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.