Encouraging Diversity On Campus (NAPSA)—Onehigher learning institution’s commitment to diversity has netted it a highly soughtafter prize. Minority Access, Inc. gave one of its Diversity Institution Awards to University of Phoenix. It highlights the University’s commitmentto diversity and its efforts in increasing higher education opportunities for minority scholars. In fact, the school has a history of supporting diversity. Roughly 45 percent of the students are self-identified as minority, better reflecting the multicultural fabric of American society. Most of the University’s students are working adults over 30 years old andfirstgeneration college students comprise more than half of the student body. Additionally, 76 percent of the University’s students are working and 67 percent have dependents. To help working adults earn associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees and moveefficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world, the University offers flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning at campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online. Said Dr. Angie Williams, dean of multicultural affairs and diversity: “Tt’s an exciting time as University of Phoenix reaches out to more organizations to discuss the needs of traditionally underserved populations and to build programsthat meet the career-development needs of those groups. At our University, werespect the right to be different, we build opportunities to grow collaboration, and we work together to make the difference through our leadership, students, staff, faculty and various communities.” What’s more, the University A commitment to diversity and social responsibility is critical to workforce development, say experts on education. partnered with nonprofit Thurgood Marshall College Fund to provide academic and online education resources for learners at historically black colleges and universities. Additionally, the University hosts diversity fairs and diversity employment career fairs with panel discussions and workshops focused on creating community conversation around higher education opportunities and career- development programsfor traditionally underserved populations. “University of Phoenix students, alumni,faculty and staff not only value diversity—it is one of the defining characteristics of our uniqueinstitution,” said University president Timothy P. Slottow. To develop the next generation ofAfrican-American business leaders, the University’s School of Business offers an educational training program partnership with U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. for organization membersand African- American small-business owners.It’s a three-course, 15-week online busi- ness program. Learn More For further facts about diversity initiatives, visit www.phoenix. edu/about_us/corporate-socialresponsibility/diversity.html. For more on the school in general, see www.phoenix.edu.
