Top Story
March 4, 2010
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Metro State leaders impact local, national diversity standards
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Metro State leaders Percy Morehouse, Charles Batey, and Myron Anderson serve on the board of American Association for Affirmative Action. |
Metropolitan State College of Denver consistently ranks among the top 100 colleges and universities for graduating students of color, thanks to stellar work of faculty and staff.
In particular, the following three administrators are doing their part in an unprecedented way: Interim Associate to the President for Institutional Diversity Myron Anderson, Director of Equal Opportunity and Assistant to the President Percy Morehouse and Associate Director for Equal Opportunity Charles Batey.
All three are active members in leadership roles with the Washington, D.C-based American Association for Affirmative Action (AAAA), a national association of professionals that work in areas of affirmative action, equal opportunity and diversity.
“Throughout my history with AAAA, I have never been aware of three individuals from the same institution or organization sitting on the national board at the same time,” says Batey, a member for 30 years, who currently serves as interim regional director for Region 10, where he is in charge of the election of new officers and the organization of a regional conference. “There is considerable expertise and high-quality leadership recognized at the College relative to institutional diversity and equal opportunity programs.”
The numbers reflect their efforts. Fall 2009 figures show 19 percent of all Metro State faculty and staff are of color and 53 percent are women. The latest census data from the Office of Institutional Research shows 5,744 students of color (25 percent of its enrollment) making the College the leader in the number of diverse students attending Colorado’s four-year colleges.
AAAA adheres to former President Bill Clinton’s words that “it is in the nation’s best interest to create a more inclusive society that provides genuine equality of opportunity.” For more than 30 years the program, consisting of private, nonprofit and higher education groups, has helped its members excel in their careers.
“We try to keep each other informed about the latest employment guidelines,” says Morehouse, a 23-year member of the agency and coordinator of its Region 8 states. He is responsible for activities regarding professional development and best practices.
Morehouse adds that though equal opportunity standards are the same across the board, the difference for higher education is that student access is also monitored.
Anderson, a member for two years, chairs the Election Committee.
“Having three members from Metro State in leadership roles in this organization allows us to be in position to receive current information, develop policy and assist in promoting an equity agenda throughout the region and United States.”
