MEDIA RELEASE

Dr. Rose Tseng, chancellor of the University of Hawaii at Hilo, has announced the appointment of Kelly Oaks to the position of director of the EEO/AA Office effective April 1. The EEO/AA Office is responsible for campus equal opportunity employment practices and diversity initiatives.                                                                                                                     

Oaks was selected after a nationwide search and brings with her more than 13 years of EEO/AA and diversity experience dating back to 1996 with the University of Nevada.  

Since 2003, she has held various diversity and equity related positions at Virginia Tech, including the positions of equity manager, associate director of equity initiatives and her most recent position, director of equity initiatives.     

The EEO/AA Office will be newly delegated to the Vice Chancellor of Administrative Affairs, Dr. Debra Fitzsimons. 

“Ms. Oaks’ record is impressive, and we are looking forward to her coming on board,” stated Tseng. “I am confident that both Dr. Fitzsimons and Ms. Oaks, with their combined experience in this area, will take UH Hilo to the next level in equal opportunity, diversity, and equity initiatives and will offer training and workshops that the campus needs.”