Dolores H. Fridge Vice-Chairman St. Paul, Minnesota

Dolores Fridge is the Associate Vice Chancellor of the Equal Opportunity and Diversity (EOD) Division of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities System. She is responsible for day-to-day operations of EOD. The Division insures compliance with all applicable state and federal laws, MnSCU policies as well as provides training, seminars, and other professional services to MnSCU administration, faculty and staff.

From August 1992 to November 1998, Dolores served as Director, Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Human Rights (MDHR). Prior to coming to the Department of Human Rights, Dolores was an educator for 14 years in the Minneapolis Public Schools and Corporate/Director of Consumer Affairs and Customer Relations at Prudential Insurance Company of America, Wilson Learning Corporation and Zeos International. She was an independent consultant and worked with major corporations, nonprofits, educational and community organizations based in the Twin Cities. She trained executives and managers locally and nationally on issues of diversity, customer service, public presentation skills and strategic planning. She is a certified trainer for a number of Wilson Learning courses and a certified neutral (mediator).

Dolores has participated on and chaired local and national boards of directors. She is currently Vice Chairman of the Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO), is on the Board of Advisors for the St. Paul Roseville School-to-Work Initiative, the Partnership for Choice in Education, Channel 2’s Race Initiative and the St. Croix Girl Scouts Board of Directors. Dolores is a member of the National Women Executives in State Government and past member of the Board of Directors of the National Society of Consumer Affairs Professionals. She is a member of the National Black Public Administrators and the Black MBAs. She speaks frequently, locally and nationally, on issues of diversity and education. She has testified before the Minnesota Legislature and the Federal Legislature on education issues. She received the Ramsey County chapter of Minnesota Women’s Political Caucus "Feminist Award" in 1997 and was chairperson of the Minnesota State Board of Education. She accompanied Governor Arne Carlson on his trip to Singapore as the Governor’s "Special Advisor in Education," and to Iceland as Commissioner of Human Rights.