Faces of Michigan

J. Wayne Jones: Works to broaden opportunity and expand the hiring pool

J. Wayne Jones, Arthur F. Thurnau Professor and professor of materials and metallurgical engineering, helps departments and search committees around the University attract diverse pools of faculty applicants, and works to boost the Women in Science and Engineering program and the Multicultural Engineering Program Office (MEPO). Jones helped MMEPO attract industry and government leaders who were instrumental in raising $10 million for diversity initiatives and scholarships.

In recognition of his contributions, Jones was named one of six faculty members to receive the University of Michigan’s Harold R. Johnson Diversity Service Award in spring 2007. The award, which was established in 1996 in honor of Johnson, dean emeritus of the School of Social Work, recognizes faculty members who have contributed to the development of a culturally and ethnically diverse campus community. Honorees receive $5,000 to further their personal research, teaching and scholarship activities.

In nominating Jones for the award, David Munson Jr., the Robert J. Vlasic Dean of Engineering, noted that Jones led the effort to create the College of Engineering’s first written diversity plan in 1997.

“His advocacy for women and minority faculty candidates is not confined to STRIDE workshops, as I have personally seen him point out the lack of diversity on candidate as well as award lists,” wrote Tresa Pollock, L. H. and F. E. Van Vlack Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, in a letter supporting Jones’ nomination.

STRIDE stands for Strategies and Tactics for Recruiting to Improve Diversity and Excellence. The STRIDE Committee provides information and advice about practices that will maximize the likelihood that diverse, well-qualified candidates for faculty positions will be identified and, if selected for offers, recruited, retained, and promoted at the U-M.

Since September 2007, Jones has served as associate director of the U-M ADVANCE Project and director of the ADVANCE Project in the College of Engineering. He works closely with Munson and Abigail Stewart, director of the U-M ADVANCE Project and Sandra Schwartz Tangri Distinguished University Professor of Psychology and Women’s Studies, to improve efforts leading to the successful recruitment, retention, and promotion of women and underrepresented minority faculty.

Excerpted from The University Record and College of Engineering Web site.