Cynthia Fraction named McNair Scholars Program assistant director; welcome reception set for Feb. 7

I am pleased to announce the appointment of Cynthia Fraction as assistant director of the McNair Scholars Program. After a national search and a competitive and diverse pool of applicants, Fraction emerged to be the best person for this position. She began her duties on Jan. 15. Join me in welcoming her to the St. Thomas community from 3 to 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 7, in Murray-Herrick Campus Center’s Fireside Room. Light refreshments will be served.

Fraction brings to her position as assistant director more than 15 years in education working with diverse populations. Over the years she has had the pleasure of counseling and recruiting students, developing and directing new programs, managing all day-to-day operations of college academic, admissions and educational testing programs to include budget management, staff management, business development and new staff training. She relishes working with students of course, but also enjoys her close work with other university administrators, faculty and support staff. She also most enjoys working in multicultural environments where a wide range of ideas and perspectives exist, which is personally stimulating to her, but also leads to the most creative ideas.

Cynthia Fraction

Her experience in educational testing has helped to further develop her skills and abilities in data gathering, analysis, reporting and presenting. She is particularly pleased to share with us her success in leadership through the development of new programs and the successful management of existing programs on college campuses.

Her most recent position at Data Recognition Corp. brought her back to Minnesota to serve as a senior project manager. She managed No Child Left Behind (NCLB) testing program projects. Managing NCLB projects afforded her the opportunity to link secondary education trends and experiences with higher education trends and experiences for a well-rounded and enriched background in education and in particular the future success and opportunities for low income and culturally diverse populations. She says the McNair Scholars Program is much needed on our college campuses today and is vital and critical to the success of students.

Fraction has held positions previously at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Hamline University, Macalester College and Educational Testing Services (ETS) in Princeton, N.J. Fraction has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from the University of Minnesota and has completed further study that will lead to an advanced degree.