UW News

March 15, 2001

Nancy ‘Rusty’ Barcel?lected as vice president for minority affairs

News and Information

University of Washington President Richard L. McCormick has selected Nancy “Rusty” Barcel? be the next vice president for minority affairs, effective July 1. She also will have an affiliate faculty appointment in the Department of American Ethnic Studies.

The appointment is subject to approval by the UW Board of Regents.

“Rusty Barcel?s a deep and abiding commitment to diversity and its values,” said UW President Richard L. McCormick. “Throughout her career she has found creative ways to transform her commitment into programs and collaborations to foster success and accomplishment among diverse students. She will provide inspired leadership for our many efforts to enhance the diversity of the University of Washington. I am very pleased she will be joining us.”

Barcel?s served since 1996 as associate vice president for multicultural and academic affairs at the University of Minnesota. She also has been chair of Chicano studies since 1999.

Before coming to Minnesota, Barcel?s at the University of Iowa in a variety of positions, including associate director of Opportunity at Iowa (1987-94), assistant dean in the Office of the Provost (1981-95), director of summer session (1981-87), and assistant provost and interim director of Opportunity at Iowa (1995-96). She also was adjunct assistant professor in the College of Education.

Barcel?ceived an M.A. in recreational education (1972) and a Ph.D. in higher education administration (1980), both from Iowa.

At Minnesota, Barcel?ersaw and facilitated the development and implementation of institutional policies relating to diversity at all four campuses of the university. She served as an advisor to the president and other members of the university by providing analysis on the fiscal, programmatic and administrative implications of proposed policies, to ensure that diversity issues were a key part of budgetary, administrative and governance decisions.

Part of her work at Minnesota emphasized outreach and service. She worked with college units, student affairs units, community agencies and school systems to create partnerships and pre-college programs that connect directly with K-12 students. These partnerships are helping to provide “a clear pathway to the University for all members of our community, but especially for students of color,” she says.

Working with colleges and support units, Barcel?veloped coordinated student service programs that resulted in higher retention rates among minority students. She also has coordinated efforts to increase the number of graduate students of color at Minnesota.

“I adhere to a basic concept that our success to diversify higher education is everyone’s responsibility,” Barcel?ys. “The position of vice president for minority affairs at the University of Washington will give me an opportunity to provide important leadership toward carrying out this basic premise.”

Barcel?salary will be $144,000.