UNH To Receive Diversity Award

September 12, 2007

UNH has been named a 2007 recipient of a Diversity Award from Minority Access, Inc. Wanda Mitchell, vice provost and chief diversity officer, will accept the award at the Eighth National Role Models Conference, Sept.13-16, at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Virginia.

The university is being recognized as a degree-granting institution that has committed itself successfully to recruit, retain and advance students and personnel from a diverse pool, according to Minority Access.

“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,” according to Andrea D. Mickle, President of Minority Access. “UNH is among this distinguished group of institutions Minority Access has identified as being committed to diversity.”

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. The Conference, with the participation of representatives from the National Science Foundation, has expanded it focus to highlight diversity efforts in general.

The National Role Models Conference unites representatives from major research universities, community colleges, Hispanic serving institutions, historically black colleges and universities, and tribal colleges to address the health disparities and diversity issues. Representatives of trendsetters in the educational, corporate and private sectors will also discuss diversity issues. A distinguished economist will discuss the theory of diversity. Legal experts will discuss diversity law. A compilation of model institutional diversity master plans will be distributed.

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 the Eighth National Role Models Conference and recognition of colleges and universities committed to diversity, call Minority Access at (301) 779-7100 or visit www.minorityaccess.org.

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