Ron Meek has been appointed to serve as director of the University of the Virgin Islands Human Resources Department (UVI-HR). Meek previously served as assistant director of Human Resources at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. His appointment at UVI began on May 5.
He will have oversight responsibility for the Human Resources Department, spearheading strategic and tactical implementation of leading-edge organizational development and human resources initiatives. Meek will lead the development and delivery of core HR functions, including selection and retention, performance and succession management, and the development of HR policies, processes and procedures.
“Mr. Meek brings a wealth of experience to the University with progressively responsible experience in both public and private sectors applying a full range of management and human resources knowledge,” said Shirley Lake-King, UVI vice president of Administration and Finance/chief financial officer.
His experience includes benefits, classification, compensation, contract negotiation, employee relations, faculty workload, labor relations, job evaluations, performance management, recruitment, training and development, workman’s compensation, unemployment compensation and retirement, according to Lake-King.
Meek holds a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from Texas A&M University, a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources from the University of Texas, and an Associate of Science degree in Pre-Law from Grayson County College.
“The University of the Virgin Island’s Human Resources Department is committed to the overall mission of the University as well as the 2017 Strategic Plan: Pathways to Greatness,” said Meek. “It is important that the UVI-HR be positioned to engage in strategic partnerships with all areas of the University both internally and externally to help the University achieve its vision and goals.”
One key short-term goal is to complete the implementation of the PeopleAdmin system, which is the Human Resources Department recruitment, performance management, and on-boarding system used to automate and streamline the hiring process. “Bringing the system on-line and training our end users has been a big undertaking and the UVI-HR staff has done a great job of managing that process,” said Meek.
As one of his long-term goals, he intends to engage UVI stakeholders in a strategic planning process that meshes with the overall UVI Strategic Plan. One of the six areas of focus of the UVI strategic plan is organizational and human development. “This will become a guiding principle as we develop a plan for strategic alignment with Pathways to Greatness and a road map for positioning UVI-HR to best serve the needs of the University,” said Meek.
“I believe there is a shared vision for us to be a department of excellence within the University,” he said. “If we can help to continue to make UVI a great place to fulfill someone’s educational or career aspirations, then we have accomplished what we set out to do – create an environment where everyone can thrive and reach their potential.”
Valena Veda Richards served as acting HR director from June 2013 to May 5. The position was left vacant after former HR Director Bettina Miller resigned on June 4, 2013.