Civil Rights and Institutional Equity director finalist Matthew Olovson: Communication key to promoting diversity at CMU
Matthew Olovson said the key to promoting diversity on campus is communication and leadership.
Olovson was the first of the three finalists to speak at an open forum for the position of Director for the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity following current director Jeannie Jackson's retirement announcement.
He is the director of Office for Equal Opportunity and staff attorney in the Office of General Council at Ferris State University.
Olovson said he will be able to devote all of his time to civil rights and diversity should he come to Central Michigan University..
"I put out fires (at FSU), but, I don't get to prevent them," Olovson said Monday at the Bovee University Center. "(Being at CMU) would allow me to devote all of my time."
The director of the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equality is responsible for the application and overview of the university’s affirmative action programs.
As a CMU alum, Olovson said the university allowed him to grow as a student and to make a career out of his interests.
"I have a passion for CMU. I grew up here as a student," he said. "I took my passion for diversity and turned it into a career."
Olovson said while the topic of diversity is of personal interest, it is important to get others to recognize the value of diversity.
"(Diversity) is also something the culture needs to recognize," Olovson said.
Olovson said he plans to work with other leaders, faculty and offices on campus to spark discussions about diversity. He said collaboration and teamwork will help bring diversity to the forefront.
"In order for civil rights and equal opportunity to be effective, there needs to be a recognition that it is important," he said. "Senior leadership is essentially important, but we also need a great staff; the director (for the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equity) and the assistant director need to be on the same page. In order to be successful, I need to rely on others."
As director, Olovson said he plans to keep communication avenues open. He plans to focus on customer service and creating an open atmosphere to discuss diversity and other relavent topics.
"We would be an office that would be customer service-focused," Olovson said.
Olovson said he plans to set clear expectations so students and faculty know what is acceptable. He hopes guidelines will aid in reducing the number of complaints related to equity and diversity on campus.
"If we are proactive in our approach, it will allow us to be more successful," Olovson said. "Diversity helps us break down stereotypes ... and prepare future leaders."
Katherine Lasher, the assistant director of the Office of Civil Rights and Institutional Equality at CMU, has an open forum scheduled for 1:45 p.m. Tuesday in the Lake St. Clair Room of the Bovee UC. Francisco Gonzalez, dispute prevention and resolution specialist at the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry, has a forum scheduled for Wednesday in the same room at 1:45 p.m.
