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Allen to leave for New York
 Media Credit: Christine Johnson/Editor Laurel Allen
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Affirmative action officer Laurel Allen is approaching her last days with the administrative offices; she has recently been given an opportunity to go to the State University of New York in Albany.
"It's a wonderful, wonderful opportunity that I couldn't pass up," Allen said.
Originally from Berkeley, Calif., Laurel Allen came to SCSU for a good opportunity of employment. Her colleagues and family thought it odd that she move from such a diverse place to go to a place of smaller diversity. She stuck with it, and has made her mark over the past 4 years and 10 months..
"I've experienced on a daily basis what (my friends and I) talked about in California," Allen said of experiencing a lack of diversity.
But fortunately, large in part to her hard and lengthy work, things have changed.
"When I came here in 1997, I could say 'ok, I'm alone,' and now I don't feel like that," Allen said. "I feel proud. I hope it stays."
Her work mainly consists of monitoring searches to get faculty and administrators on campus. After nearly five years of working here at SCSU, she can be accountable for the 23 percent of administrators, 15 percent faculty and 10 percent staff that are all people of another race.
Due to her success, she is well-wanted, even across the country.
"I was contacted by a search firm," Allen said.
Allen will now be leaving for Albany, N.Y., where she will work as the director of diversity and affirmative action at the State University.
Allen can be commended for her efforts, and mostly her positive and upbeat attitude. She came from a rather diverse place, and came to a less diverse place. She has made her efforts and left her mark, and can only hope for the best to continue.
"I've enjoyed working with many of the faculty and am pleased with the results," Allen said. "I wish them luck in the future."
"It's a great opportunity," said Lisa Foss, SCSU director of marketing and communications. "The president of the university is proud."
Allen begins her position at the State University of New York in Albany on June 3. Her official last day at SCSU is May 22. No one is really sure just yet who will take her spot, but they will definitely be big shoes to fill.
The biggest hope is that her positive attitude and hard work will continue.
"The world is going to change," Allen said. "We can either participate or not."
Britt Johnsen can be reached at: [email protected]
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