THE first black president of an American foundation that has links to an Oxford college has been elected to a prestigious Fellowship.

La June Montgomery Tabron, President and CEO of the W.K. Kellogg Foundation based in Michigan, USA, has been elected to a ‘Bynum Tudor’ Fellowship at Kellogg College.

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In 2014, Ms Tabron became the first woman and African American to lead the foundation in its 90-year history, having served in a variety of positions since she joined it in 1987.

The Kellogg Foundation has made grants to Kellogg College.

Ms Tabron leads is in its work to support thriving children, working families and equitable communities, embedding a commitment to engaging communities.

Ms. Tabron said: “The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is proud to have supported the creation and growth of Kellogg College. Our founder believed that people held the power to lasting change on behalf of children.

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"Education has an important role in that process – empowering individuals to serve their communities and strengthen society. I look forward to engaging with the other Fellows, and the students, staff and alumni of the College.”

Kellogg - said to be the Oxford University's most international and diverse College – was founded in 1990 to support students studying part-time for graduate degrees, something that the University had not previously permitted.

Consistent with the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s longstanding focus on ‘helping people to help themselves,’ the endowment of Kellogg College reflected the joint commitment of the Foundation and College to give a second chance to those who may have missed out on university education first time round.

College President, Professor Jonathan Michie, says she is 'delighted' that Ms Tabron has agreed to join the fellowship and that her involvement will 'enhance the collaborative working between the College and Foundation'.