In the News

Kay Hocker is new Diversity director

By Dawn Schuett

January 6, 2006

Six years ago, Kay Hocker interviewed George Thompson in his role as executive director of the Diversity Council for one of her graduate classes.

Last week, she took over the job.

"The organization just stuck with me," Hocker said, referring to how impressed she was with Thompson and the Diversity Council after getting to know both. Thompson retired from the organization in December after 10 years as executive director.

Hocker, who previously was a performer of modern dance and worked for more than two decades for WaldenBooks, became a volunteer for the Diversity Council in 2001 before joining the staff as its first education director.

She helped expand the council's main program -- the Prejudice Reduction Workshops taught to students in grades K-12 -- and was responsible for recruiting and hiring facilitators to teach the curriculum. Ebony Broussard has been hired as the new education director and will begin the job Jan. 17.

This school year, the workshops will reach as many as 18,000 students, Hocker said. Meanwhile, the Diversity Council has added adult education programs, has developed a "business toolkit" for smaller employers wanting to train their staff members on diversity issues and has worked with the Rochester school district on staff development issues.

Work at the Diversity Council is fulfilling, Hocker said, and can make the community a better place to live.

Education is the "right choice" to reduce prejudice and discrimination, Hocker said. "I really believe it's one of the best tools we have for social change."

The council does not take positions of advocacy, even at a time like this, when Gov. Tim Pawlenty's proposals concerning illegal immigration may stir anti-immigrant sentiments. In the past, the Diversity Council has offered education on the benefits of immigration.

"It can be a challenge for us because so many people find the line between advocacy and education a blurred one," Hocker said. "Our position is that we educate about the value of all human differences."

Under her leadership, Hocker said, the Diversity Council will continue to do the programs it is known for, but she sees endless possibilities for its future. "What could be more exciting than taking this organization to a different place?"

Name: Kay Hocker

Age: 47

Job: Former education director for the Diversity Council in Rochester, she is now executive director of the organization following the retirement of George Thompson.

Education: Bachelor's degree in dance and master's degrees in management and health and human services administration.

Previous careers: She was a dancer before an injury sidelined her. She spent 21 years in the corporate world with WaldenBooks, where she worked as a regional recruiter, district manager and corporate trainer.

© 2006 Post Bulletin. Used by permission.

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