Purdue News
Purdue News
Mason, former director of Purdue's Diversity Resource Office, will start her new job Monday (7/21), L. Tony Hawkins, interim vice president for student services, said in announcing the appointment.
Horizons, a program supported jointly by the university and the U.S. Department of Education, works to retain and graduate students from low-income families, first-generation college students and those with disabilities. It is a unit of the Office of the Dean of Students and has been at Purdue since 1978.
Hawkins said Mason's duties will include working with new Horizons students to help them make successful academic and social transitions from high school to the university and working with continuing at-risk students to improve retention and graduation rates.
In addition, Mason will hold a courtesy appointment as assistant professor of education and will teach Education 200, an academic and career planning course in Purdue's Undergraduate Studies Program.
"Dr. Mason has a unique set of skills and outstanding personal attributes that make her extremely well-qualified to work with the students in Horizons and to help us enhance its programs as we move into the 21st century," Hawkins said. "I am very pleased that the opportunity in Student Services will allow Purdue to benefit from the talents and experience of a professional colleague of her ability."
Mason, who served with the Diversity Resource Office until early July, said: "When I discussed the Horizons program with Tony Hawkins, I knew immediately that this would be the perfect opportunity for me. I am very happy to be remaining at Purdue and staying in a community where I have formed many positive relationships. The chance to expand my experience with these new responsibilities -- especially to work extensively with students -- makes this position very exciting and promising. I can't wait to get started."
Mason, a native of Indianapolis, came to Purdue in 1993 after serving as statewide director of educational opportunity for the central office of the Indiana Vocational Technical College. She also has served as director of minority affairs for the Indiana University School of Dentistry.
Mason holds a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Chicago State University . She earned a master's degree in educational psychology and a doctorate in higher education from the University of Chicago.
Source: Myra Mason, (765) 743-6413
Writer: Jeanne V. Norberg, (765) 494-2096
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu
NOTE TO JOURNALISTS: A photo of Myra Mason is available from Purdue News Service, (765) 494-2096.
