UNC-Wilmington has named its first chief diversity officer.
Dr. W. Kent Guion was appointed to the newly created position Thursday, according to a release from the university. He will begin work on April 13.
Currently vice president for diversity and inclusion at Georgia Regents University, Guion has 25 years experience in higher education as a research assistant, faculty member, dean and administrator.
His career includes leadership positions in allied health sciences, as well as multicultural, campus and community affairs. UNCW officials said he has led Georgia Regents to receive multiple national accolades for diversity and inclusion activities, including 2013 and 2014 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity awards and the 2014 NCAA award for Diversity and Inclusion.
“Throughout his career, Kent Guion has focused on building collaborative relationships among people, campuses and communities,” UNCW Interim Chancellor Bill Sederburg said. “His interests range from assisting individuals living with disabilities to community wellness and the ongoing academic success of students from underserved populations. Dr. Guion will bring new insight and perspectives to UNCW, and I am delighted that he has accepted the opportunity to become our chief diversity officer.”
Guion said he felt honored to “join the UNCW community.”
“Diversity and inclusion are important components of the university’s mission, and I look forward to working with my new colleagues to further develop a comprehensive, inclusive strategy that will enhance UNCW’s commitment to preparing all students to successfully engage in our global society,” he said.
Guion holds a B.S. in zoology from N.C. State University, an M.D. from the School of Medicine at UNC-Chapel Hill and an M.A. in physical education, with an emphasis on exercise physiology, from UNC-Chapel Hill. He also completed a fellowship in clinical epidemiology and primary care internal medicine at Duke University.
