DETROIT Meredith E. Gibbs, chief of staff in the executive office at Wayne State University, has been named executive vice president and given additional responsibilities. WSU President Irvin D. Reid made the announcement.

Gibbs, a Rochester Hills resident, came to Wayne State two years ago. She will assume additional responsibilities for human resources, parking and transportation services, and public safety in addition to her duties as chief of staff, which include responsibility for the university budget, equal employment opportunity, audit and strategic planning.

Before joining the WSU administration in 1998, she was assistant secretary for policy coordination and chief of staff with the Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, where she was responsible for coordinating policy and strategic planning as well as oversight of legislative affairs, program analysis and audit, equal opportunity and program equity, and information services.

Prior to that, she was assistant attorney general with the Maryland Environment and Natural Resources Departments for eight years. In 1988-89, she was director of intergovernmental relations for the Maryland Natural Resources Department and, before that, an attorney in private practice.

Gibbs earned a law degree from the Columbia University School of Law and a bachelor's degree in sociology from Rice University. She is a trained facilitator in conflict resolution and has served as a hospice volunteer.