The Third World Center appointed Mary Grace Almandrez as its new director this summer after a yearlong search process. Almandrez, who took office July 1, was joined by Oscar Perez, the TWC's new assistant director for diversity initiatives.
The TWC, which aims to represent minorities by supporting cultural groups and activities on campus, was under the interim leadership of Associate Protestant Chaplain Reverend William Mathis after the unexpected departure of Karen McLaurin-Chesson '74 last summer due to a family emergency.
"People really connect with (Almandrez)," said Ricky Gresh, senior director for student engagement and a member of the search committee for the new TWC director. "People felt like she was really already part of Brown."
The search committee included faculty, students staff and alums.
Almandrez has the necessary experience to lead the TWC, Gresh said. She has founded diversity-related programs at three other schools.
"I fell in love with the students," Almandrez said of Brown. She expressed admiration for "the level of thoughtfulness and care and love the students had" for the TWC.
"My first year will really be spent working with the community," she added. "I'm looking to build upon the good work that folks have already done."
Almandrez said she wants to partner with all people concerned with social justice at Brown, not only students of color.
The University also appointed Oscar Perez as the TWC's new assistant director for diversity initiatives when Anjali Sridhar stepped down from the post after taking maternity leave, Perez said.
Perez received his doctoral degree in the Department of Portuguese and Brazilian Studies in May. His research related in part to the work of the TWC, according to Gresh. Perez, who has also worked at nonprofits in the Providence area, assumed his post March 14 after a selection process that began in January.
"I think that this is a really exciting time for the TWC," Perez said, adding that he will work to make the TWC more visible to the graduate community. "We're really interested in creating more collaborative projects."
