Alma Harrington Young of Detroit has been appointed dean of the College of Urban, Labor and Metropolitan Affairs (CULMA) at Wayne State University. The College consists of seven research and service centers, four graduate programs and four undergraduate programs. The centers include the Douglas A. Fraser Center for Workplace Issues, the Archives of Urban and Labor Affairs and the Walter P. Reuther Library.

Young, a nationally renowned scholar, joined the WSU faculty in January 1997 as the first person to hold the Coleman A. Young chair, which was endowed by the late mayor of Detroit, who was not related to Alma Young. She will retain that position, giving guest lectures, doing research on urban issues, working with students and serving on dissertation committees.

"CULMA is the catalyst for actualizing Wayne State's urban mission. We form partnerships and provide resources to Detroit's community groups and government. Our interdisciplinary, policy- oriented research is a resource to urban communities across the country," said Young.

Young's vision for the College of Urban, Labor and Management Affairs is focused on economic development, workplace issues and education - all aimed at improving the overall quality of urban life. "Cities need to be livable places, with jobs that sustain families and schools that ensure our children's success."

Before joining the WSU faculty, Young was professor of urban and public affairs at the University of New Orleans. She also was associate vice chancellor for academic affairs there and director of the doctoral program in urban studies.

Young has a doctorate in political science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University and a bachelor's degree in government and philosophy from Radcliffe College. She is an expert on the impact of business redevelopment on urban neighborhoods and the effect of welfare reform on families.

She was the first woman appointed to chair the Board of Commissioners for the Port of New Orleans. She also chaired a statewide children's advocacy agency in the state of Louisiana.