University of Phoenix Recognized as Institution Committed to Diversity
October 07 2015 - 4:56PM
Business Wire
Minority Access, Inc. Honors University at 16th
National Role Models Conference
University of Phoenix® has been honored by Minority Access, Inc.
with the organization’s Diversity Institution Award, which
highlights the University’s commitment to diversity and its efforts
in increasing higher education opportunities for minority scholars.
The award was presented at Minority Access’ 16th National Role
Models Conference on Sept. 26 in Baltimore.
University of Phoenix has a history of supporting diversity in
higher education through the development of career pathways and
community engagement. Roughly 45 percent of University of Phoenix
students are people of color,1 in addition to 34 percent of its
instructors — both exceeding national institutional averages2 and
accurately reflecting the multicultural fabric of American society.
Most of the University’s students are working adults over 30 years
old, and first-generation college students comprised more than half
of the student body in 2014. Additionally, 76 percent of the
University’s students are working, including 57 percent women and
67 percent with dependents, which further emphasizes the demand by
“nontraditional” students to expand their career opportunities
through flexible academic programs.
Late last year, the University partnered with Thurgood Marshall
College Fund (TMCF) to provide academic and online education
resources for students at Historically Black Colleges and
Universities (HBCUs). 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 programs for
traditionally underserved populations. That commitment to diversity
and social responsibility are critical to workforce
development.
“University of Phoenix students, alumni, faculty and staff not
only value diversity – it is one
of the defining
characteristics of our unique institution,”
said University of Phoenix President Timothy P. Slottow. “Nearly
half of our students and 34 percent of our faculty tell
us they come from under-represented minority backgrounds. The way
we value diversity also manifests itself in our
partnerships with organizations like the Thurgood
Marshall College Fund, the U.S. Black Chambers,
Inc. and the Hispanic Foundation of Silicon Valley. I am
honored by this award and proud to lead an institution that
celebrates diversity.”
The Minority Access 16th National Role Models Conference has
honored more than 250 colleges, universities and other institutions
since 2000. Based in Hyattsville, Md., the 501(c)(3) nonprofit
organization maintains a commitment to helping colleges,
universities, and corporations to implement programs and provide
services to recruit, enhance and retain underserved and
underrepresented populations.
University of Phoenix was among 38 colleges and universities,
from community colleges to large private and state schools, honored
during the Baltimore ceremonies as institutions committed to
diversity. The event included a college and career showcase,
workshops for undergraduate student researchers and sessions in
which attendees shared their successes and challenges advancing
diversity initiatives aimed at eliminating workforce
disparities.
“Minority Access and the National Role Models Conference shed
light on the issues minority scholars are faced with and the
challenges educators must take on to create more seamless access
and opportunity,” said Dr. Constance St. Germain, executive dean of
University of Phoenix Colleges of Humanities & Sciences and
Social Sciences. “As technologies evolve to meet the needs of
working adult learners, the faculty and staff of University of
Phoenix remain motivated to develop curriculum that represents the
academic interests and career goals of a widely diverse student
population.”
In August, the University’s School of Business announced an
educational training program partnership with the U.S. Black
Chambers, Inc. (USBC) for organization members and African-American
small business owners. The USBC program, backed by a $500,000 grant
from the University, provides a three-course, 15-week online
business program to develop the next generation of African-American
business leaders.
As part of University of Phoenix’s commitment to social
responsibility, college leaders also have engaged with a variety of
national minority organizations and stakeholders to identify
specific needs of students. The University actively participates on
State Task Teams and Committees, such as the Arizona Minority
Education Policy Analysis Center (AMEPAC) and other groups
dedicated to addressing improvement of minority access to higher
education.
For more information about University of Phoenix diversity
initiatives, visit
http://www.phoenix.edu/about_us/corporate-social-responsibility/diversity.html.
For more information about Minority Access, Inc., visit
http://www.minorityaccess.org.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working
adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly
changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses,
and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue
career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives.
As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL),
University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering
associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from
campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online
throughout the world. For more information, visit
www.phoenix.edu.
1 All University of Phoenix data: University of Phoenix (2015)
Office of Enterprise Performance Management.
2 U.S. Department of Education Institute of Education Sciences
National Center for Education Statistics (2015). Characteristics of
Postsecondary Faculty:
https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator_cuf.asp.
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University of PhoenixMichael Ferraresi,
602-557-6640Communications Managermichael.ferraresi@apollo.edu
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