Greensboro names new human relations director

The city of Greensboro announced this morning that it selected Dr. Love Crossling as the new human relations director to replace Anthony Wade. From the press release: 

Courtesy photo

 Crossling comes to the City from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG) where she has worked since 2006 as an academic director and research associate for the undergraduate studies program. In addition to experience as a counselor, educator, and administrator, she has an expansive research background that includes the study of the impact of race, class and gender on community development.

“The theoretical research conducted by Dr. Crossling combined with her practical work experience makes her a unique talent who will serve our changing community well,” says City Manager Denise Turner Roth. “Her expertise will help us ensure that the role the City plays in the growth and development of our community is conducted with a broad perspective while also being sensitive to key segments of our population.”

Beyond her academic experience, Crossling has served as a professional crisis intervention counselor with school-age and at-risk populations. Meanwhile, she began her tenure at UNCG as a master’s level residential director where she conducted mediation and crisis management involving faculty, staff, students, parents and campus leadership in various housing-related disputes.

A Fayetteville, NC, native, Crossling holds an undergraduate degree in psychology and communications studies from UNCG. She also has a master’s degree in marriage and family therapy from East Carolina University and a Ph.D. from UNCG in educational leadership and cultural foundations.

Crossling was selected out of 40-plus candidates who were chosen from a national search. The candidates participated in an intensive selection process which evaluated their written, communication, and professional skills through a series of role play and EQ testing. Her selection concludes an eight-month process in which the City engaged the community to explore the role of the Human Relations Department and how it could best serve Greensboro’s residents. The process included an evaluation of internal practices, policies, and structure with a goal of strengthening the department to play a stronger role in the community.

The department will be refocused on its core mission of promoting mutual understanding, ensuring fair housing practices, public accommodation and complaint review process.  Looking forward to the future, the department will be able to strengthen its investigative service, while also allowing a renewed focus on education. The department will also further its commitment to ensuring all residents, regardless of their first language, will have access to all of the City’s programs and services.