BUCKHANNON, West Virginia –  West Virginia Wesleyan College recently announced the appointment of Laurie Goux as the new Director of Center for Cultural and International Affairs.

Goux, originally from Chicago, Illinois, relocated to West Virginia in 2009. She brings over 16 years of experience in higher education, beginning at Columbia College Chicago. For the previous 10 years, Goux served as adjunct faculty in fine and performing arts at Davis and Elkins College, where she completed her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts.

A protégé of dance masters Jimmy Payne Sr. (Afro-Cuban dance) and Tommy Gomez in Katherine Dunham Technique, Goux said it was natural to merge the arts, social justice and activism to educate and affect change against inequities and discrimination. Through her activism in the arts and advocacy for students at Davis and Elkins College, Goux was appointed to Coordinator for Presidential Initiative for DEI and now brings that experience to WVWC for her new role.

“In this new position I am eager to continue the work with faculty, staff and students toward building an institution that honors workplace diversity, and is committed to anti-racism, non-discriminatory and equitable environment for the entire Bobcat family,” Goux said.