ASHLAND – Ashland University’s Jonathan Locust Jr., director of institutional diversity and student conduct, has been awarded the Minority Access National Role Model award by Minority Access Inc. Locust Jr. will receive his award at the National Role Models Award Gala and will be accorded VIP status and special recognition throughout the Seventeenth National Role Models Conference from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, at The Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
Through the National Role Model Awards, Minority Access aims to identify inspirational role models in various categories to inspire others to emulate them, and thereby increase the pool of scholars and professionals who will find cures for illnesses or solve technological problems or address social disparities in society.
Locust Jr., who received his award in the administrator category, is a trained mediator and Title IX Investigator, and has won multiple awards including Outstanding Faculty/Staff of the Year, Diversity Enhancement Award and Best Thesis Research. He was most recently awarded Communication Alumni Champion by the University of Cincinnati. He is an author of several publications including his latest book titled, “Influence of Involvement and Cognitive Ability on College Retention.”
Some of the programmatic initiatives undertaken by the Office of Institutional Diversity at AU include Pathways, a year-long program that assists students make a seamless transition to college; the bringing to campus of regional and national speakers; and the planning of community service projects. During his 5½ years at Ashland University, he has provided a place on campus for students, staff and faculty to engage in discussions that has led to a higher level of awareness and appreciation of diversity.
