EDUCATION + SCHOOLS

Westminster administrator hired by a Nebraska university

Nov 21, 2018, 8:11 AM

A new bill in the Utah legsislature titled "Prohibiting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in Higher E...

FILE: Former Associate Vice President for diversity equity and inclusion at Westminster College, Marco Barker speaks to the group as members of the Sugar House and Westminster community join in solidarity on issues and matters related to justice, unity and diversity at a rally and march on Monday, Jan. 15, 2018. (Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)

(Scott G. Winterton, Deseret News)

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — The University of Nebraska-Lincoln has named a Westminster College administrator as its first vice chancellor for diversity and inclusion. It’s a hiring that some see as a waste of taxpayer money and others see as a vital step toward addressing diversity issues at Nebraska’s largest university system campus.

Marco Barker will begin his work in Lincoln on April 1 and be paid $250,000 a year, the university said Monday.

In addition to creating a new Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Barker will lead diversity efforts in faculty recruitment and retention, education and research.

“Dr. Barker is going to do great things at the university,” University Chancellor Ronnie Green said. “I’m excited for him to join our team and be a member of the chancellor’s Cabinet.”

Barker is chief diversity officer at Westminister College in Salt Lake City. Before joining Westminster, Barker worked in similar positions for the University of North Carolina and Louisiana State University. He has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas, a master’s from Webster University and a doctorate from Louisiana State University.

“Throughout the state the demographics are changing,” said Lincoln’s executive vice chancellor, Donde Plowman, before Barker’s hire. “We hope to recruit those students to the university. Thus having strategic leadership around diversity and inclusion is all the more important.”

But the creation of the diversity office for Lincoln and plans to hire chief diversity officers for the two university system’s two Omaha campuses have drawn fire from some legislators. Sens. Steve Erdman and Mike Groene, for example, see them as unnecessary and a waste of taxpayer money.

“In rural Nebraska, we’re not racists or bigots,” Groene, of North Platte, said earlier this month. “We don’t care what your ethnicity is.”

Erdman, of Bayard, has said diversity offices push liberal agendas and work against conservatives.

Barker said Monday that he appreciated the importance the university placed on diversity when he reviewed its plans to celebrate its 150th anniversary, as well as in a previous analysis of its diversity efforts.

“I am grateful for the opportunity to create and lead this inaugural office and work with the campus and extended communities to position diversity, inclusion and equity for the next 150 years,” he said. “I invite others to join me in this journey.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Today’s Top Stories

Education + Schools

alpine school district signage shown...

Logan Stefanich, KSL.com

Amid ‘tension’ in Alpine School District, board votes to study potential district reconfiguration

Alpine School District's board of education has voted unanimously to begin a study into reconfiguring the biggest district in the Beehive State.

11 months ago

A student at Toeele Junior High School brought an unloaded firearm onto campus Thursday morning, ac...

Simone Seikaly

Student found with unloaded gun at Tooele Junior High

Tooele Police said a resource officer learned about the gun from an administrator, who heard from a teacher, who heard from a student.

11 months ago

Burned trees piled on the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration land pictured...

Adam Small and Samantha Herrera

$300,000 cleanup getting property back to raising money for public schools

The School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration has to clear decades worth of bullets and rifle pellets from a former Boy Scouts camp.

11 months ago

A lawsuit filed against the Alpine School District, the district's board of education and Superinte...

Logan Stefanich

Parents file lawsuit against Alpine School District over potential closure of 5 elementary schools

The suit comes less than a month after the same group of parents threatened to bring legal action against the Alpine School district.

11 months ago

Fourth grade teacher Emily Weigel shows her students that it might be hard to fit under their desks...

Amanda Dickson

What teachers want during Teacher Appreciation week — R.E.S.P.E.C.T.

Teachers and parents alike work tirelessly to educate and raise kids. Here's what one organization says about appreciating your teachers during Teacher Appreciation Week.

11 months ago

climate change education...

Marjorie Cortez, Deseret News

State School Board restores climate change science standard by 1 vote

The majority of the Utah State Board of Education members ended up rejecting a recommendation that would remove climate change language from the state's science standards.

11 months ago

Sponsored Articles

close up of rose marvel saliva blooms in purple...

Shannon Cavalero

Drought Tolerant Perennials for Utah

The best drought tolerant plants for Utah can handle high elevations, alkaline soils, excessive exposure to wind, and use of secondary water.

Group of cheerful team members high fiving each other...

Visit Bear Lake

How To Plan a Business Retreat in Bear Lake This Spring

Are you wondering how to plan a business retreat this spring? Read our sample itinerary to plan a team getaway to Bear Lake.

Cheerful young woman writing an assignment while sitting at desk between two classmates during clas...

BYU EMBA at the Marriott School of Business

Hear it Firsthand: 6 Students Share Their Executive MBA Experience at BYU’s Marriott School of Business

The Executive MBA program at BYU offers great opportunities. Hear experiences straight from students enrolled in the program.

Skier being towed by a rider on a horse. Skijoring....

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking for a New Winter Activity? Try Skijoring in Bear Lake

Skijoring is when someone on skis is pulled by a horse, dog, animal, or motor vehicle. The driver leads the skiers through an obstacle course over jumps, hoops, and gates.

Banner with Cervical Cancer Awareness Realistic Ribbon...

Intermountain Health

Five Common Causes of Cervical Cancer – and What You Can Do to Lower Your Risk

January is National Cervical Cancer Awareness month and cancer experts at Intermountain Health are working to educate women about cervical cancer.

Kid holding a cisco fish at winterfest...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get Ready for Fun at the 2023 Bear Lake Monster Winterfest

The Bear Lake Monster Winterfest is an annual weekend event jam-packed full of fun activities the whole family can enjoy.

Westminster administrator hired by a Nebraska university