CHAPEL HILL – Another new appointment at UNC: Felicia A. Washington has been named the university’s new vice chancellor for workforce strategy, equity and management. She’ll replace Brenda Malone, former vice chancellor for human resources, on February 1.

In an email, Chancellor Carol Folt said the position’s new name reflects an expansion of responsibility: Washington will oversee not only the office of human resources, but also the equal opportunity/ADA office and the office of diversity and multicultural affairs.

Washington is a Charlotte-based attorney with experience in employment and discrimination issues. She’s also a former member of the UNC Board of Trustees.

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UNC researchers have won a $900,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to improve services for young children with autism and their families.

The project will bring together a variety of on-campus departments and statewide organizations to assess the needs of families, raise awareness of the early signs of autism, and increase access to early screening—among many other goals. Stephen Hooper is directing the project; he’s the associate dean and chair of the UNC School of Medicine’s Department of Allied Health Sciences.