Two University of Wyoming faculty members, along with several people with strong connections to UW, are among 15 Wyoming citizens appointed to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Wyoming State Advisory Committee.

Jacquelyn Bridgeman, interim dean of the College of Law, and Eric Nye, associate professor in the Department of English, recently were reappointed to the panel.

Also appointed were Affie Ellis of Cheyenne, who has worked as an adjunct professor in UW’s American Indian Studies program, Anetra Parks of Laramie, former director of career services in the College of Law and now an attorney with Legal Aid of Wyoming, and Melanie Vigil of Lander, who graduated from UW in May with a double major in gender and women's studies and global and area studies, and was honored with the Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award as UW's outstanding graduating woman.

State advisory committee members conduct reviews and produce reports and recommendations concerning local civil rights issues including justice, voting, discrimination, housing and education.

Congress mandates that the federal Commission on Civil Rights appoint volunteer members to advisory committees in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Appointees serve two-year terms. The committee will meet for the first time in this month to consider its plans and priorities.

Past Wyoming State Advisory Committee activity addressed discrimination in employment, law enforcement and against Native Americans in border town communities.

 

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