CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin has appointed a director to a new office of minority affairs.

Carolyn L. Stuart was named Monday to lead the Herbert Henderson Office of Minority Affairs. Lawmakers applauded Stuart when she introduced herself at a meeting of House-Senate interim committees.

Born in McDowell County, Stuart received her bachelor's degree from Bluefield State College and a master's in counseling from Marshall University. She has a doctorate degree from Virginia Tech.

She will direct an office that will deal with issues affecting minorities in West Virginia. Tomblin's office said Stuart's varied background includes higher education, counseling and consulting in the area of cultural diversity.