Ouachita Baptist University has hired an assistant to the president who will oversee racial diversity efforts on campus.
Lewis Shepherd Jr., a longtime administrator at Henderson State University, is OBU's first full-time employee devoted to "advancing racial diversity," according to the university announcement.
In an accompanying statement, Shepherd said he wants "to help everyone associated with Ouachita and our community understand racial diversity and its impact."
University President Ben Sells said in the news release that Shepherd's role will help the university be a "more welcoming and supportive campus for students, faculty and staff of color." About 16.4% of the university's students are members of racial minorities, Sells said.
Shepherd is an OBU graduate, earning a bachelor's degree in religion and a master's in education. He also has a doctorate in higher education from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock.
Shepherd, who is also a pastor, has worked at Henderson State since 2009 in student and community relations, and he previously worked at OBU for 29 years "in a variety of roles," according to the announcement.
In his years in Arkadelphia, the Magnolia native also has been president of the Arkadelphia Chamber of Commerce and served on several area boards, according to a biography on the city's Rotary Club website.