Faye Nelson, Wayne State University's vice president of governmental relations and community relations, has been named as one of metro Detroit's most influential black women.

The Women's Informal Network has named Nelson as one of the Most Influential Black Women in Metropolitan Detroit. She will be honored March 14th at the 6th Annual Women of Vision & Courage Honoree Reception that is sponsored by the Women's Informal Network, a non-profit organization founded in 1992. The reception will be held at the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center auditorium in Detroit.

Patricia Cole, founder of the Women's Informal Network, said her organization honors black women in a variety of fields that are doing dynamic things in the community, who don't always get the widespread recognition they deserve. Nelson will be among 30 women honored by the Women's Informal Network, Cole said. Nelson, a resident of Troy, has been at Wayne State University since 1996.

Prior to joining Wayne State, Nelson was with Kmart Corp. where she was director of government affairs and a senior corporate attorney during her 14-year tenure with the retailer.

Nelson has a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from Mercy College of Detroit and a Juris Doctorate degree from the University of Detroit School of Law.

Nelson is involved with a number of professional, community and civic organizations that include: the American Bar Association, the State Bar of Michigan, Sixth Circuit (Life Member), the Detroit Athletic Club, Economic Club of Detroit, the National Conference for Community and Justice, the American Red Cross and the Detroit Historical Museum.

Governor John Engler recently appointed Nelson to the Michigan Higher Education Assistance Authority, which gives financial assistance to students who attend a four-year college or university.