The Center for African American Studies, which now reports directly to the Office of the Provost, is most fortunate to welcome an educator who was instrumental in its creation and growth into a leadership position. Chair of the Department of History in the College of Liberal Arts Marvin Dulaney has agreed to serve as interim director of the center while a search for a new director is conducted. I will be chairing the search committee for this position and will announce the members of the committee shortly. The position has been posted at uta.service-now.com/jobs/.

CAAS inaugural Director Schnavia Hatcher is leaving the university this summer for a position which returns her to her academic discipline of Social Work at the University of North Carolina. Schnavia’s tremendous contribution to CAAS and her dedication to the center, the School of Social Work, and UTA will be long remembered and appreciated. We wish her the best in her future endeavors.

Diversity, respect and inclusion are strongly held values at UTA, and I send my gratitude to Marvin and to Schnavia for their leadership, hard work, and all they have given to the center and to this university.