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Wilmington University Program Chair Sworn in as State Labor Secretary
Delaware Gov. Jack Markell calls on Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson’s strengths in organizational development and family history of public service.
On Wednesday, January 27, Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson, regional chair of Wilmington University's Organizational Dynamics Program, was approved by the Delaware State Senate to become Secretary of the Delaware Department of Labor (DDOL). Governor Jack Markell nominated Gilliam-Johnson for the position on January 14 following the retirement of the previous labor secretary.
Gilliam-Johnson was sworn into her new position on February 1 by Gov. Markell. Friends and family were present at the ceremony in Wilmington.
Following her unanimous confirmation, Gov. Markell released a statement commending Gilliam-Johnson, saying that her “fierce dedication to Delaware’s under-served communities and passion for public service make her a great asset to Delaware and our efforts to continue building a stronger workforce.”
“We could not be more proud of Dr. Gilliam-Johnson in her appointment as Delaware’s Secretary of Labor," said Dr. Jack Varsalona, President of Wilmington University. "Her years of study, combined with her experience and practical application of organizational and work place dynamics, make her uniquely capable of taking on the responsibilities of the Secretary’s office. We know Dr. Gilliam-Johnson's contributions will be as memorable there as they are at Wilmington University."
Markell appointed Gilliam-Johnson "because her résumé is in line with the Department of Labor's objectives." Before entering her career in education with Wilmington University in 1997, Gilliam-Johnson was a business consultant with expertise in human resources. She also served in the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the District of Columbia Courts and the U.S. Department of Labor.
In a statement following the announcement of her nomination, Gilliam-Johnson commented that the Department of Labor "... has a hugely important role connecting people with the training and resources they need to get good jobs."
“The Wilmington University community is proud of Dr. Gilliam-Johnson's many accomplishments as an educator and program chair," said Dr. LaVerne Harmon, Executive Vice President. "We wholeheartedly support her appointment as Delaware’s Labor Secretary and wish her all the best as she takes office."
“Dr. Gilliam-Johnson will be missed as one of the University’s program chairs, but she is well-suited to her new position as the state's Secretary of Labor," added Dr. Jim Wilson, Vice President, Academic Affairs. "Her background in organizational psychology is a strength she will use to bolster the state’s labor department. Her fair and deeply caring management style, and her earlier background in federal public service, will be put to good use in her new role. There will always be a place for her at Wilmington University.”
Dr. Patrice Gilliam-Johnson is the daughter of James H. Gilliam, Sr., long time civil rights activist, mentor and Delaware community leader, who died last September at the age of 95. Gilliam-Johnson first began learning about community involvement, civil rights and politics as her father became a civil rights leader and peacemaker in the months following Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s assassination. She received her bachelor's degree in psychology from Morgan State University and her master's and Ph.D. in industrial and organizational psychology at the University of Maryland.
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is a private, nonprofit institution committed to providing flexible, career-oriented, traditional and online associate, undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs. Ranked as the third fastest growing doctoral institution in America 2003 – 2013 by The Almanac of The Chronicle of Higher Education, affordable tuition, academic excellence and individualized attention are hallmarks of the University that enable greater student success in their chosen careers. For more information, contact Wilmington University at 302-356-INFO (4636), via email at infocenter@wilmu.edu, or visit our website: www.wilmu.edu.
