Dr. Wanda Mitchell has earned a Doctorate of Education in Counseling, held several impressive positions in colleges and universities throughout the country and published and presented influential papers. Nevertheless, one of her greatest accomplishments has been her recent move to New Hampshire.

Born and reared in Allendale, South Carolina, Dr. Mitchell is a southerner at heart. The value she places on education was learned at an early age from her family and friends. She remembers the positive effects of being brought up in a small community where education and hard work were considered essential aspects of life. Her late mother, Margaret, told her once, “Hang onto education, because when you have nothing else, you will have your knowledge, and that knowledge will be the key to unlock doors of opportunity.”

Wanda took this advice to heart as she completed her doctorate at The College of William and Mary and graduated from the Hampton University Executive Leadership Summit. After serving as Associate Director of the General Education Development Center at Paine College, Dr. Mitchell earned tenure as Championing Diversity by Nesli Orhon an associate professor of Education at Hampton University, holding both administrative and teaching positions. After a long and distinguished career at Hampton, she gave up her well-earned position to join UNH’s faculty as a visiting professor.

Dr. Mitchell served as a visiting professor in the UNH Department of Education for two years. In that time, she encouraged and taught many graduate students in the Counseling Program, where she taught Multicultural Counseling and other core courses. Currently, she serves in the Offi ce of the Provost and Executive Vice-President for Academic Affairs under the leadership of Provost Bruce Mallory. As Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity Initiatives, she is charged with the responsibility of developing the University’s Diversity Strategic Plan that will address campus climate, inclusion, diversity, and equity for all persons. Her experience at Hampton University, a predominantly black institution that is proud of its mission and legacy, provides Dr. Mitchell with abundant ideas and energy. She approaches her tasks by working in collaboration with other offices and organizations across the campus community, working hard to promote a more accepting climate at UNH.

Wanda has quickly become a part of the New England community through her commitment to service which characterizes her and the women of her sorority, Delta Sigma Theta, Inc. Dr. Mitchell is chair of the Board of Diaconate and church worship leader at the Bow Lake Free Will Baptist Church in Strafford, NH; member of the Board of Directors of the Rochester Visiting Nurses Association, and member of the Portsmouth Chapter of the NAACP and the New Hampshire Circle of Friends.

In her position as Special Assistant to the Provost for Diversity Initiatives, Wanda holds the fi rst such position that prioritizes diversity at the level of University administration. Wanda hopes that the creation of her role is just the beginning of future initiatives that advance diversity. “A position such as this will create more champions for diversity. It will encourage and guide others (deans, chairpersons, faculty, staff and students) to be involved in creating a more welcoming environment for all people.” Mitchell is here to make diversity, not just a thought, but also a reality by collaborating with others to take action. She wants to help campus leaders to conceptualize the transformation of UNH for greater national and international prominence among the many learning communities that honor the values of diversity, inclusion, and equity and the connection of these values to excellence in teaching and research.