OMA Gets New Leader   Twyman wants students to be "global citizens." The Office of Multicultural Affairs is serving the needs of minority students, but it could do more to expand their world knowledge. That's one message from new OMA director Edward Twyman. The former director of multicultural affairs at Baldwin-Wallace College also says he wants OMA to continue to collaborate with other offices in supporting academic and student affairs experiences at the College. "I believe that Ithaca College should maintain the strength of its diversity programs but also do more to support students interested in becoming global citizens," Twyman says. "Students have to be encouraged to think beyond their own neighborhoods and culture." Another challenge, says Twyman, "for higher education and for Ithaca College is to provide educational opportunity for students with limited resources." He expects to work with the admission and financial aid staffs to come up with new ways of attracting students with the right academic credentials but without financial resources. Twyman says he looks forward to the challenges that face him as he gets to know his large and varied constituency. Coming into an already established office with long-standing programs and good relationships with so many departments on campus has made his job that much easier. "Ithaca College is privileged to have a president, academic deans, faculty, student affairs professionals, and students who are committed deeply to multicultural affairs," he says, "and we are blessed with an excellent and hard-working OMA staff." Twyman received a doctorate in higher education administration from the University of Akron, as well as a master's degree in counseling and bachelor's degree in sociology from Youngstown State University. He succeeds Roger Richardson, who was promoted to assistant vice president for student affairs and campus life. OMA provides programs, networking, and financial assistance for the African, Latina/Latino, Asian, and Native American populations, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender students. Photo by Bill Truslow

A. Ozolins, Ithaca College Office of Publications, 28 October, 2003