The Office of Multicultural Affairs has taken on a new name and a new leader. Teresa Woody was recently named the director of Minority Affairs, replacing Luther Mercer III who left the position last semester.

David Belote, Interim Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, says that Woody will be perfect for the job. “Having Teresa Woody as director will allow UTM to focus on one of our major goals- to achieve an extraordinary degree of international, multicultural and multiracial integration,” Belote said.

ack Student Association and the International Student Association to bring speakers to campus and offer events that will benefit the students of UTM. This year Woody says she plans to bring about more co-sponsorship between groups on joint projects that encourage diversity on campus.

As for the challenges that face UTM concerning diversity and multiculturalism, Woody says they are the same that our society faces. “Any university is a microcosm of the society around it and faces the same problems. Namely, I’m talking about the sheer logistics of getting different groups of people together to focus on an issue and then attempting to build a consensus or a workable compromise. Sometimes we just have to agree to disagree on an issue in a civil manner until it can be worked out,” Woody says.

Since 1998, Woody has served as a library associate in technical services at the UTM Paul Meek Library. She has also held jobs in the community and was employed in the Office of International Programs while attending UTM. Woody earned a bachelor of arts in English with a minor in philosophy in 1997 and a master of science degree in community counseling in 2005, both from UTM.

Woody, who is a member of Sigma Tau Delta English Honors Society and Alpha Kappa Alpha at UTM, says it is easy for her to recall her favorite part about attending UTM. “My favorite part has been all the different friendships I’ve made over the years. One of the fun things about college life is all the colorful characters you meet and the things you get into together,” Woody says.

The Pacer asked Woody what words of advice she has for students as it concerns multiculturalism. “Be open to learning about other cultures and to sharing things about your own culture with others. You never know what you might find,” she says.

No direct indication was given as to why the office has changed from Multicultural Affairs to Minority Affairs. “The university, like any other institution, is dynamic. Many organizational changes take place over time,” Woody says.

Woody’s office is in the Division of Student Affairs, located in the Hall Moody Administration Building. She may be contacted at 881-7282 or at twoody@utm.edu.