Una's Patterson Named Vice President For Diversity, Equity, And Inclusion

Jul. 30, 2020

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at media@una.edu, 256.765.4392 or 256.606.2033

Michelle Eubanks, UNA, at meubanks@una.edu, 256-606-2033 or 256-765-4392 FLORENCE, AL - Ron Patterson has been named the Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the University of North Alabama. With this promotion, Patterson leads a new division on campus dedicated to furthering the University's mission of being a diverse and inclusive institution. "Mr. Patterson has a long history of leadership at UNA, having come to campus in 2016 to lead our Enrollment Management area and serving as the Chief Enrollment Officer and as the Assistant to the President for Diversity," said UNA President Ken Kitts. "Creating this division, and having Ron as the vice president of it, will allow for growth and evolution of our mission as a regional institution that takes diversity, equity, and inclusion seriously." Patterson is a native of Corinth, Miss., having received his associates' degree from Northeast Mississippi Community College, in Booneville, Miss. He earned his undergraduate degree from Martin Methodist College, in Pulaski, Tenn.; his Master's degree from Marietta College, in Marietta, Ohio; and his education specialist degree from Arkansas State University, in Jonesboro, Ark. Patterson is pursuing his doctoral degree, with an emphasis in higher education. "I am truly honored to serve as the inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion where commitment and focus on diversity and inclusive excellence is second to none," Patterson said. "This is an important moment for the University. Our students come from many diverse backgrounds, adding to the richness of the UNA experience. We look forward to implementing the new Strategic Diversity and Inclusion plan and leading the efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on our campus, locally, regionally, and beyond." Patterson and his wife, Jenny, live with their daughter, Olivia, and son, Braylon, in Florence. About The University of North Alabama The University of North Alabama is an accredited, comprehensive regional state university offering undergraduate and graduate degree programs through the colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Sciences, and the Anderson College of Nursing and Health Professions. Occupying a 130-acre campus in a residential section of Florence, Alabama, UNA is located within a four-city area that also includes Muscle Shoals, Sheffield, and Tuscumbia. UNAAthletics, a renowned collegiate athletics program with seven (7) Division II National Championships, is now a proud member of the NCAA Division I's ASUN Big South Conference. The University of North Alabama is an equal opportunity institution and does not discriminate in the admission policy on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, disability, age, or national origin. For more: www.una.edu and www.una.edu/unaworks/