About Us
Our Mission
The Office of Multicultural Affairs & Diversity (OMAD) is committed to raise awareness, respect and understanding while striving for equal opportunities for all underrepresented individuals in our campus community. Diversity and equity are core values at our institution and OMAD is here to ensure that the rich contributions each individual brings forth, are expanded through inclusion, equal opportunities, and through academic achievement for all.
" Civilizations should be measured by the degree of diversity attained and the degree of unity retained." ~ W.H. Auden
Goals
To support the individual academic and cultural growth our UAF population by encouraging learning through cultural activities and life experiences that can develop self-awareness and social skills as we prepare students to compete in a global society.
Encourage partnerships all across campus and beyond to ensure student engagement, retention and academic success.
To construct institutional principals that are responsive to the mission and core values that is upheld by UAF.
Brief Historic Background
In September 1997, OMAD was created under the direction of former Chancellor Joan Wadlow. A “Diversity Committee” was formed with members representing UAF and the Fairbanks community to research and develop strategies in order to assist UAF in recruiting and retaining culturally diverse student population. The main objective was to scrutinize the disparity between minority students in the community and their low rate attendance at UAF. Although African Americans represented the highest percentage of minorities in the community, the percentage in attending UAF was not mirrored. These research findings facilitated the founding of the OMAD on campus.
As our campus community becomes increasingly diverse, the demand for academic support, mentorship, leadership, diversity awareness, tolerance and acceptance has equally escalated. Currently OMAD provides a vast number of services and activities that are inclusive and contribute to the retention of students, staff and faculty who anxiously seek an environment that is safe and familiar to their personal experience. OMAD’s operational staff is composed of one professional manager and two part-time (Federal work-study) undergraduate students. The testimonials (some attached here) given by students and faculty clearly demonstrate that we play a key role on retention of our campus diverse population.
Currently, OMAD offers services to all students, faculty, staff and community members interested in multiculturalism and diversity. OMAD also plays a key role in recruiting and providing quality service to students, staff and faculty of underrepresented backgrounds to ensure retention and academic success.
DIVERSITY
is one of UAF's Core Values