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he contributions of the Multicultural Alumni Partnership to diversity at the University of Washington relate more directly to students than to faculty. Our endowment and annual scholarships provide recognition of and support for outstanding students of color. Of course, we have also honored several faculty of color as distinguished alumni and outstanding community leaders. In addition, we have current and former faculty of color in leadership roles on our board and as advisers. We also recognize alumni and community members of color through our signature event, the Bridging the Gap Breakfast, which has celebrated diversity, alumni achievement and community leadership over the past 15 years. We appreciate the staff and professional help that we receive from the UW Alumni Association, the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMAD) and other campus offices. In the case of OMAD, we also use ex-officio board positions (for MAP and and the Friends of EOP) as a way of representing and supporting cultural diversity. It is encouraging to us that President Emmert stated that faculty diversity is an integral part of a quality education at the UW. A diverse student population is likely to be more highly motivated, mentored and inspired in the pursuit of a wide range of educational programs and goals when they are taught by faculty from culturally diverse groups and backgrounds. Their presence and service as role models are likely to contribute to more diverse experiences, academic success, and opportunities for career development for students of color that might not otherwise occur.
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iversity is the Washington Way. More than just a slogan, the University of Washington truly takes this to heart and works hard to attract faculty, staff and students of color. We are extremely proud of the gains we have made, not only in terms of the diverse student population we have attracted, but faculty and staff as well. Recruiting faculty of color is a challenge. This group is small to begin with and we are competing with the top institutions across the country to bring the best of the best here to our campus. A tall task, maybe, but we are making it happen. The UW Diversity Research Institute (DRI) is an example of the many ways our university supports faculty of color on our campus. The DRI was developed to involve faculty of color on research projects with an emphasis on generating new, interdisciplinary knowledge about diversity, social justice and institutional transformation. Which faculty is doing the research and teaching is quite significant, especially for our diverse student population. We want students to be aware of and have a chance to engage with faculty who are involved with research pertaining to issues that impact their specific communities.
points of view
We at MAP look forward to continuing our work in partnership with the various offices and leaders who have the mandate and financial means to further the aims of UW’s faculty diversity.
With sincere appreciation, Thaddeus H. Spratlen MAP President, 2009-2010
You can support the Multicultural Alumni Partnership Endowed Scholarship by going to www.washington. edu/alumni/meet/groups/map.html
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Our campus-wide Affinity Groups provide another service to our diverse faculty and staff population. Initially started by the Leadership, Community and Values Initiative and now managed by Office of Minority of Affairs and Diversity, these groups are a way for faculty and staff to build community and foster connections with their fellow colleagues from similar backgrounds. When looking at creating and maintaining the mission of diversity at UW, having more diverse faculty and staff here on campus also attracts a more diverse student population. It all comes full circle. Students are more likely to engage and identify with faculty and staff members they can relate to in those terms. Having diverse faculty on campus is also essential to providing our entire student population with the best possible education. The core value of the University of Washington is diversity and everyone within our campus community plays a very important role in that mission.
SHEILA EDWARDS LANGE, PH.D., ’00, ‘06 Vice President for Minority Affairs Vice Provost for Diversity You can support the Samuel E. Kelly Endowed Scholarship by going to: http://uwfoundation.org/diversity