UWA receives national diversity award

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November 10, 2009

Anonymous The Meridian Star Tue Nov 10, 2009, 10:33 PM CST

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LIVINGSTON, Ala. — The University of West Alabama recently received a 2009 National Role Models Award for Diversity at the 10th Minority Access National Conference in Washington, D.C., for its commitment to diversity, effective interaction and the exchange of ideas.

“The university is pleased to receive this award, which gives us an even stronger desire to create a campus environment that embraces the full spectrum of everyone’s contributions,” said UWA President Richard D. Holland.

UWA was honored for several initiatives enacted in 2008. First, the Julia Tutwiler College of Education received a three-year, $1,052,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a program that increases the number of African Americans becoming master teachers capable of breaking the cycle of poor education provided in rural Black Belt schools.

UWA’s Building the Education Strategy of Tomorrow (BEST) Program identifies and recruits black students from a six-county area to enroll in the teacher education curriculum. The BEST Program increases the number of African Americans, especially males, entering teacher education, and UWA will produce each year 24 highly qualified teachers who will directly impact the quality of education in local elementary and secondary schools.

The Department of Athletics also became one of just 18 Division II schools selected for an NCAA Coaching Enhancement Grant, which provides funding for Division II institutions to enhance diversity and inclusion through the hiring of full-time coaching positions. The grant, which funds UWA’s assistant cross county coach position, addresses the issues of access, recruitment, selection and long-term success of women, racial/ethnic minorities and other individuals in Division II who seek to overcome hiring barriers.

Last year, the University also established the Black Faculty and Staff Association, which works with administrators to address the mutual concerns of the University’s black students, faculty and staff.

The Division of Outreach Services also works with external organizations and communities throughout the University’s service area to improve the quality of life for diverse populations in West Alabama.

“This honor means a great deal to the University as we join 31 other institutions in earning recognition for our efforts to establish a more inclusive university for our faculty and students,” said UWA Division of Outreach Services Director Kenneth Walker, who accepted the award on behalf of the University.

Minority Access, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization that works with individuals, academic institutions, corporations, and federal, state, and local government agencies to diversify campuses and work sites by improving the recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities.

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