contested
affirmative action post
Michelle Norton
Staff Writer
After months of continuous searching, University of Houston officials have announced the appointment of a new executive director for the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity.
Ileana V. Treviño, a veteran in the field of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, will officially begin her duties as director in August.
"I am proud to welcome Ileana Treviño as a member of my administration here at the University of Houston," said UH System Chancellor/UH President Arthur K. Smith.
"The affirmative action/equal employment opportunity office plays a vital role in the mission and administration of this university, and I am deeply impressed by the qualifications, experience and energy that Ms. Treviño will bring to this important position."
Treviño has worked in both the public and private sector of her field and brings more than 18 years of experience to UH. For several months, she served as deputy director for the EEO office for the National Institute of Health in Maryland.
Her position required direct involvement in affirmative action issues such as policy planning and complaint adjudication.
In addition, she served as chief of employment programs for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and personal management specialist for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Her government work involved interacting with several affirmative action programs, including the Hispanic Employment Program, the Federal Women's Program and the Employee Assistance Program.
Prior to her appointment at UH, Treviño was the proprietor of Treviño and Associates, a firm specializing in EEO management and consulting.
She was hired as a consultant on a part-time basis by UH officials in January to update the university's affirmative action plans.
It was at that time that Treviño learned about the job opening and realized that she was interested in the position. "While working with the UH administration, I was impressed to discover that while many were relatively new to the UH team, they were all still strongly committed to the goals of affirmative action," she said.
"When I realized that I wanted to be a part of that dynamic team, I applied for the job."
Treviño was selected from 117 other applicants. According to Director of External Communications Cindy Suggs, a committee was formed to screen the applicants using both telephone and live interviews.
Basic requirements for the position included a seven-year minimum of direct job-related experience associated with a broad knowledge of principles and practices within a professional field.
In addition, applicants were required to have a thorough understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of an analytical, technical or professional discipline.
That includes a four-year degree from a college or university or an equivalent in-depth, specialized training program directly related to the job.
"Treviño more than fulfilled the requirements for the position," said General Counsel Dennis Duffy, an active participant in the selection process.
Treviño earned her bachelor's degree in psychology and romance languages from Boston College in 1977.
She later received her master's degree in counseling psychology from Boston University.
Treviño's duties will involve managing, developing and implementing all aspects of affirmative action and equal employment opportunity programs to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations as well as university policies and procedures.
As the new director, Treviño will report to Duffy. She replaces former interim executive director Electra Yourke, who served only one year at the university and initiated an investigation into possible claims of discrimination by Duffy against three women.
The claims alleged Duffy discriminated against them on the bases of age, gender and race. While an initial report by an outside law firm found evidence supporting two of the complaints, a later report from a three-person UH ad-hoc review panel found all allegations to be unsupported.
"I an very pleased that Ms. Treviño has agreed to join the university," Duffy said.
"I am confident that she will provide the leadership necessary to direct and coordinate our affirmative action and equal employment opportunity efforts."