PULLMAN, Wash. — Ann Dougherty [DOC KER TY] is the new director of Washington State University’s Center for Human Rights. The former director of Affirmative Action at the University of Nevada, Reno began the WSU appointment Jan. 13.
This is Dougherty’s second position with WSU. In 1974-75, while her spouse was completing graduate studies, she worked for the psychology department. Upon completing a master’s degree in psychology in 1977, she worked for Prof. Milton Rokeach in the WSU social psychology department. In 1979 the family moved to Lewiston, Idaho, and Dougherty completed a law degree from the University of Idaho in 1983. She later worked for Idaho Legal Aid Services in Lewiston.
In 1989 she began her career in higher education as ombudsman and special assistant to the provost at Western Washington University, Bellingham. She joined Truckee Meadows Community College, Reno, Nev., as affirmative action officer in 1993, and two years later accepted the UN, Reno post. There she directed the office that monitors all employment activity for compliance with university policy and state/federal equal employment opportunity, affirmative action and non-discrimination laws and regulations.
At WSU Dougherty is the university’s senior affirmative action officer. She administers the university’s Affirmative Action Program and coordinates the university’s compliance efforts. Her office, too, monitors hiring activities for faculty, administrative/professional and classified staff for compliance with equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations and policies.
“All universities face the same issue: doing more with less and employees being called on to do more,” she said. “Jobs may not be as neatly defined.”
The new CHR director said qualified job candidates must believe they receive equal and fair treatment. “We make sure the university follows a well defined employment policy.”
“If we do follow well-conceived hiring practices, everyone benefits. If candidates are kept informed and believe the process is fair, there is trust,” Dougherty said.
She replaces Deborah Love who accepted a position as the associate vice president for diversity and equal opportunity at University of South Florida in Tampa, Fla.
