Virginia Underwood has been named Equal Opportunity Officer at EKU.

Underwood will be responsible for the administrative management and policy implementation of the University's equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs. She also will develop instructional materials, conduct training workshops, coordinate the investigation of student- and employment-related discrimination complaints and monitor compliance with federal, state and University requirements.

"For several years, Eastern Kentucky University did not have a full-time equal opportunity officer," said EKU President Bob Kustra. "Filling this important position underscores our commitment to equal opportunity and affirmative action programs and enhances our efforts to ensure diversity on the campus."

Prior to joining President Kustra's staff on July 1, Underwood practiced private law independently in Lexington. A 1986 graduate of the University of Kentucky College of Law, she has 12 years of diverse legal experience, including private practice with PennStuart in Abingdon, Va., and Greenebaum Doll & McDonald PLLC in Lexington. She also served as an attorney for Ashland Inc. (The Valvoline Company).

Underwood is a member of the Kentucky Bar Association and the Virginia State Bar. Her legal background includes corporate, business, commercial real estate and health care law as well as equal employment opportunity and affirmative action law. Since 1997, she also has taught part time in EKU's paralegal studies program and at UK College of Law as a legal writing instructor.

"I was first introduced to the richness of the EKU and Richmond communities when my daughter attended the Stephen Collins Foster Music Camp during the summers of 1991-93," Underwood said. "For the past two years, I have enjoyed working with students and members of the faculty in the paralegal studies program and experiencing the rewards and challenges of teaching part time in that program.

"Now, I am delighted to become a full-time member of the EKU family and look forward to working with the administration, faculty, students and staff as EKU continues its mission and moves forward into the new millennium as an even more richly diverse intellectual and social environment under the leadership of President Kustra."

Underwood, who earned a bachelor's degree in English from Berea College in 1973, taught secondary English, speech and drama in Tazewell, Va., prior to attending UK College of Law. She has been active in the Lexington and Bluegrass communities. From 1995 to 1997, she served as president of the Board of Directors of Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra Inc. She also has been a volunteer tutor at the Carnegie Center for Literacy and Learning and served on the Planned Giving Committee at Berea College from 1995 to 1998. She is a member of the Board of Directors and secretary for the New Opportunity School for Women Inc. and a volunteer at Waveland State Historic Site.

Contact Ms. Underwood at 606-622-8020.