Russell Returns to UW as Associate VP for HR and Diversity

Nell Russell, a former University of Wyoming administrator who designed and developed UW’s first diversity program, has returned to the university as its associate vice president for human resources and diversity.

“Nell is highly respected by the university community and brings a common-sense approach to some critical areas,” says Vice President for Administration Bill Mai. “Her background and knowledge will be valuable for all of us at the university. It’s great to have her back.”

Russell served as UW associate vice president for diversity from 2004-2012. During that time, she created the university’s Diversity Program and helped insert diversity goals in UW’s strategic plan; developed a mandatory sexual harassment prevention training program; worked with a group of scholars and administrators to develop a new diversity statement for UW; and established relationships with a number of historically black colleges and universities. From 2006-08, she also served as interim human resources director.

She was honored by the UW Board of Trustees with the Trustees’ Award of Merit in 2012. For the past two years, Russell has worked as a consultant with UW and other institutions on diversity issues.

Before coming to UW in 2004, Russell was director of EEO compliance and Title IX coordinator at the University of Akron. She also worked as the director of affirmative action at Brown University and Northeastern University.

She received a bachelor’s degree in political science from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in education administration from the University of Akron.