CMU Student Life is getting ready to welcome another member to its growing Cultural Diversity Board staff as they hire a new diversity manager.

The job recently became available after former diversity manager, Frank Terry, moved to Denver. According to the Director of Student Life, Mitch Karstens, the application process has been extensive.

The position itself is undergoing some big changes that will put the new faculty member amongst the students. Instead of being tucked away in Lowell Heiney, the new manager will have an office in the “Student Wing” on the second floor of the University Center.

“It’s just a proximity thing,” Karstens said.

By moving the office location, Student Life plans to increase the manager’s availability to both students and to the CDB, which includes Black Student Alliance, International Student Exchange, La Raza, Gay-Straight Alliance, Ho’olokahi Polynesian Club, and Native American Student Council.

“The CDB does a whole host of events,” Karstens said. “Each group has its own month. The diversity manager’s job will be to not only help with the six events the groups do every month, but also to aid in the recruiting and retention of international and ethnic students.”

The committee should have a candidate chosen by this week.

“[The applicants were] narrowed down to smaller groups of eight to 12 people,” Karstens said.

That group was narrowed down to four applicants who spent time with the hiring committee, students, John Marshall and President Foster.

Both the hiring and the relocation was a staff-wide decision. Karstens encourages students to walk in anytime to talk to the manager once the position is filled.

kirick@mavs.coloradomesa.edu