UNH Receives Diversity Award

By Jody Record, Campus Journal Editor
September 19, 2007

UNH has been named a 2007 recipient of a diversity award from Minority Access, Inc.

Wanda S. Mitchell, vice provost and chief diversity officer at UNH, accepted the award at the Eighth National Role Models Conference, Sept.14, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

The university was recognized as an institution that has committed itself successfully to recruit, retain and advance students and personnel from a diverse pool, according to Minority Access. Mitchell spoke of the efforts the university has made toward diversity.

“The 2007 Diversity Progress Report revealed many successful strategic initiatives taking place at UNH to advance diversity and to create an inclusive community; however, it was great to know that our work is being acknowledged by a national organization like Minority Access, Inc.,” Mitchell said. “UNH's commitment to create a community where all persons can achieve their academic goals in a supportive environment is being realized each day, and I was indeed happy to join the other 23 colleges and universities recognized for this commitment. I was truly surprised and elated to know that we were identified and selected from a list of institutions provided by the U.S. Department of Education.”

Created out of a partnership between Minority Access, Inc. and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and supported by the National Institutes of Health, the annual Role Models Conference is an opportunity to focus the national spotlight on institutions and individuals who have excelled in producing and supporting minority researchers, particularly in the biomedical sciences and health related fields, and their research efforts.

“Given U.S. Census projections of demographic trends, any higher educational institution dependent on the general population to sustain enrollment and relevant staff or committed to strengthening the nation must diversify,” said Andrea D. Mickle, president of Minority Access. “The University of New Hampshire is among this distinguished group of institutions Minority Access has identified as being committed to diversity.”

Minority Access, Inc. is a non-profit educational organization that supports individuals, academic institutions, federal, state, and local government agencies, and various corporations to diversify campuses and work sites by improving the recruitment, retention and enhancement of minorities. For more information about diversity at UNH visit http://www.unh.edu/diversity/.

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