2008 Woodie Awards
RSSWomen's Center director to begin in spring
By Rachel Sell
Issue date: 11/2/07 Section: News
The Women's Center named a new director on Oct. 23.
Dr. Rita Jones will officially start her director position on Jan. 14, 2008, the first day of the spring semester.
Kristin Handler, the former director, left in July to pursue a doctoral degree. She filled the position for six years.
Jones fit the bill right from the start, said Susan Lantz, associate dean of students.
Jones received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Albertson College of Idaho and her master's degree and doctorate in English from Washington State University.
As a faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado, Jones was involved with the women's resource center, which is a student-run organization similar to Lehigh's Women's Center. Through the organization, she was involved in various programs and a monthly book group.
Jones was also a member of the Sexual Assault Free Environment Committee and a faculty adviser for the feminist alliance.
Jones stood out very early on, Lantz said.
"Her cover letter showed her experience and a connection to Lehigh," Lantz said
Jones put significant effort into finding out about Lehigh's community, as well as looking at its connection to the surrounding town of Bethlehem, Lantz said.
"Dr. Rita Jones stood out because of her energy and enthusiasm," said Christine Tucker, '08, a Women's Center employee. "She was excited to meet as many students as possible, and she showed great interest in understanding life at Lehigh."
Many said they can already tell Jones genuinely cares about the issues that concern the Women's Center.
"She shares our mission of creating a safe, equitable, empowering environment for women," Tucker said.
Michelle Issadore, assistant director of the Women's Center, said she considers Jones to be an energizing force.
"Her enthusiasm for the position, women's issues and students was infectious," Issadore said. "I can see her working well with all factions of the university and moving the Women's Center forward during her tenure."
Dr. Rita Jones will officially start her director position on Jan. 14, 2008, the first day of the spring semester.
Kristin Handler, the former director, left in July to pursue a doctoral degree. She filled the position for six years.
Jones fit the bill right from the start, said Susan Lantz, associate dean of students.
Jones received her Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Albertson College of Idaho and her master's degree and doctorate in English from Washington State University.
As a faculty member at the University of Northern Colorado, Jones was involved with the women's resource center, which is a student-run organization similar to Lehigh's Women's Center. Through the organization, she was involved in various programs and a monthly book group.
Jones was also a member of the Sexual Assault Free Environment Committee and a faculty adviser for the feminist alliance.
Jones stood out very early on, Lantz said.
"Her cover letter showed her experience and a connection to Lehigh," Lantz said
Jones put significant effort into finding out about Lehigh's community, as well as looking at its connection to the surrounding town of Bethlehem, Lantz said.
"Dr. Rita Jones stood out because of her energy and enthusiasm," said Christine Tucker, '08, a Women's Center employee. "She was excited to meet as many students as possible, and she showed great interest in understanding life at Lehigh."
Many said they can already tell Jones genuinely cares about the issues that concern the Women's Center.
"She shares our mission of creating a safe, equitable, empowering environment for women," Tucker said.
Michelle Issadore, assistant director of the Women's Center, said she considers Jones to be an energizing force.
"Her enthusiasm for the position, women's issues and students was infectious," Issadore said. "I can see her working well with all factions of the university and moving the Women's Center forward during her tenure."
