By Brad Duncan

Ricardo Nazario-Colón, assistant director, Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center

"My primary goal is to develop and promote cultural/educational programming that speaks to today's student population as well as uncovering new avenues of reaching the campus community. I attribute much of my own personal development to the King Cultural Center programs that I was involved in while a student here at UK. It's a privilege to now serve in this position."

-- Ricardo Nazario-Colón,
assistant director,
Martin Luther King Jr. Cultural Center

Lexington, Ky. (Dec. 11, 2002) -- The University of Kentucky Office of Minority Affairs and the Office of African American Student Affairs have hired Ricardo Nazario-Colón as assistant director of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center. Nazario-Colón, a native of Bronx, N.Y., will manage the day to day operations of the center.

Nazario-Colón brings to the position a wealth of experience and business know-how that will be pivotal to helping the Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center reach its full potential in today's environment. His familiarity with the position as an alumnus of the UK College of Arts and Sciences will help in the transition process.

"My primary goal is to develop and promote cultural/educational programming that speaks to today's student population as well as uncovering new avenues of reaching the campus community. I attribute much of my own personal development to the King Cultural Center programs that I was involved in while a student here at UK. It's a privilege to now serve in this position, " Nazario-Colón said.

Nazario-Colón most recently served as an analyst in the Conduit Administration Group of Deutsche Bank Securities where he was directly involved in the planning, budgeting and reporting on a portfolio of over $15 billion in assets. In addition, he was part of the company's community outreach programs including the popular Operation Teach for Tomorrow where employees would venture into the classrooms and introduce students to the basics of banking.

Prior to joining Deutsche Bank Securities, Nazario-Colón worked in the New York City Public School and University system. He also has held various community support positions in Harlem, the Bronx and Lexington. Nazario-Colón is married, has one child, and resides in Georgetown, Ky.

In commenting on his new staff member, Chester Grundy, director of African American Student Affairs, said, "I am so pleased that we now have someone of Ricardo's caliber in this very critical position. Given his professional experience, his creativity and his deep commitment to this work, I look forward to an exciting era at the King Cultural Center."

The Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center contributes positively to the recruitment and retention of African-American students by aiding in the development of a more hospitable and supportive campus environment. To achieve this goal, the center offers a relaxed, yet stimulating, environment where all students of the university can interact and be enriched through diverse cultural exchanges. For the past 15 years, the center's programming has served as a vital resource of cultural, educational and social activities reflective of the African-American experience. Lectures, concerts, workshops, seminars, exhibits and theatrical performances have broadened and enriched the educational experience for thousands of students, faculty, staff and community members.

The center is also a resource for progressive cultural thinking and research. Its library/archives includes books, periodicals and videos relating to the African American Experience as well as the global African Diaspora.