2008 Woodie Awards
University's president fills diversity spot
Christina Romero
Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: News
University of Northern Colorados President Kay Norton appointed Keiko Krahnke as the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity on Monday.
The new position was filled nearly a year after Norton conducted the Diversity Climate Survey in the spring of 2007.
"Dr. Krahnke brings a unique combination of academic expertise, professional experience and a deep understanding of human nature," Norton said in a statement. "I have great respect for her, and I am grateful she has agreed to serve as my adviser."
Part of Kranhke's new position, which is an addition to being a assistant professor of management, includes offering programs and activities, encouraging an understanding and appreciation for various cultures and promoting a community of learning where freedom of expression is protected.
"First of all, I plan to listen to many people who have made a great deal of efforts and learn what has been done," Krahnke said. "I would also like to hear about hopes and dreams people have for themselves and for UNC. Then, I would like to identify all the existing diversity and community-building programs and help them connect with each other."
According to Krahnke, diverse backgrounds, cultures, philosophies and ideas require openness in order for everyone to become whole. Wholeness is a sense of completeness.
"I would like to see some of the walls that have separated us come down so we can learn and play together," Krahnke said. "I hope students will see more opportunities to dialogue and learn from each other, to discover who you really are underneath the 'label,' to find your strengths and appreciate goodness in each other."
Krahnke earned a B.A. in English at Doshisha Women's College in Japan, an M.A. in English at Colorado State University and a Ph. D. in Human Resource Development from CSU. She has been a teacher of the Monfort College of Business since 1999 and earned Monfort's Professor of the Year in 2005.
"My diverse background may help, but I think my optimism and my capacity to see goodness in every person and every situation would help me in this position," Krahnke said.
Krahnke's hard work, dedication and work ethics have not been overlooked by members of the Monfort College.
"Her understanding of the appreciative inquiry process, which focuses on positive outcomes through problem-solving strategies, will be invaluable in moving the university forward," Tim Jares, Business Interim Dean of Monfort, said in a statement.
The new position was filled nearly a year after Norton conducted the Diversity Climate Survey in the spring of 2007.
"Dr. Krahnke brings a unique combination of academic expertise, professional experience and a deep understanding of human nature," Norton said in a statement. "I have great respect for her, and I am grateful she has agreed to serve as my adviser."
Part of Kranhke's new position, which is an addition to being a assistant professor of management, includes offering programs and activities, encouraging an understanding and appreciation for various cultures and promoting a community of learning where freedom of expression is protected.
"First of all, I plan to listen to many people who have made a great deal of efforts and learn what has been done," Krahnke said. "I would also like to hear about hopes and dreams people have for themselves and for UNC. Then, I would like to identify all the existing diversity and community-building programs and help them connect with each other."
According to Krahnke, diverse backgrounds, cultures, philosophies and ideas require openness in order for everyone to become whole. Wholeness is a sense of completeness.
"I would like to see some of the walls that have separated us come down so we can learn and play together," Krahnke said. "I hope students will see more opportunities to dialogue and learn from each other, to discover who you really are underneath the 'label,' to find your strengths and appreciate goodness in each other."
Krahnke earned a B.A. in English at Doshisha Women's College in Japan, an M.A. in English at Colorado State University and a Ph. D. in Human Resource Development from CSU. She has been a teacher of the Monfort College of Business since 1999 and earned Monfort's Professor of the Year in 2005.
"My diverse background may help, but I think my optimism and my capacity to see goodness in every person and every situation would help me in this position," Krahnke said.
Krahnke's hard work, dedication and work ethics have not been overlooked by members of the Monfort College.
"Her understanding of the appreciative inquiry process, which focuses on positive outcomes through problem-solving strategies, will be invaluable in moving the university forward," Tim Jares, Business Interim Dean of Monfort, said in a statement.
Be the first to comment on this story