Dr. Mamie Thorns is the Special Assistant to the President for Diversity Programs at Saginaw Valley State University. She is responsible for providing the leadership and coordination of SVSUs programs related to diversity, equal opportunity, and affirmative action. She serves as primary advisor to the President and the campus community on matters related to maintaining and enhancing a diverse campus environment. At SVSU, Dr. Thorns was instrumental in the creation of the Great Lakes Bay Regional Youth Leadership Institute, an initiative that started in 2005. Over the years, this Institute has grown from serving 51 junior and senior high school students to over 96 students representing Saginaw, Midland, and Bay Counties. Dr. Thorns is co-chair along with the Saginaw, Bay, and Midland community foundations for the Great Lakes Bay Regional Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration. She also teaches courses on managing diversity and inclusion at SVSU along with conducting diversity and inclusion training for local, state, and national businesses, community organizations, and schools. Saginaw Valley State University has been selected as a recipient of the 2013 INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award. This award is the only national recognition given to colleges, universities, and school systems that exhibit outstanding efforts and success in the area of diversity and inclusion.In 2012, Dr. Thorns was certified as a national Certified Diversity Executive from the Institute for Diversity Certification. In her personal time, Dr. Thorns enjoys mentoring underrepresented students and adults in the community who need guidance in making education and career choices.
