After six years as the director of Appalachian’s Office of Equity, Diversity and Compliance, Linda Foulsham has stepped down from her position to take time off and explore other opportunities, she said.

Before coming to Appalachian State University, Foulsham was a labor and employment and higher education attorney. Foulsham became the director for the EDC in fall 2007.

The university will form a search committee to review applicants for the newly opened position, Provost Lori Gonzalez said.

“We will advertise [for the open position] nationally so we may have internal and external applicants,” Gonzalez said.

The director of the EDC deals with the investigation of complaints of harassment, Title IX and facilitates on and off campus educational opportunities on diversity and equity.

“The person who replaces me must have extensive employment law experience as well as experience in higher education,” Foulsham said. “The search committee should be looking for a person who is trustworthy and has integrity and a strong work ethic.”

The EDC director must “ensure that the university meets its compliance obligations with respect to affirmative action and equal opportunity,” according to the document describing the EDC’s responsibilities.

The EDC’s mission is to ensure that all students, employees and campus visitors feel that they are receiving equal opportunities to education and employment in a respectful manner. The director of the

EDC is integral to the investigation and prevention of these events, if they should arise, according to edc.appstate.edu.

ßtory: KRISTA LOOMER, Intern News Reporter