UTSA recognized by Minority Access Inc. for commitment to diversity

By KC Scharnberg
Public Affairs Specialist

(Dec. 18, 2012) -- The University of Texas at San Antonio is among 27 higher education institutions across the nation honored this year for its commitment to diversity by Minority Access, Inc., a national nonprofit educational organization dedicated to improving diversity in education, employment and research.

As a model among institutions with strong and comprehensive diversity initiatives, UTSA has been able to share its initiatives through Minority Access as best practices to those around the country wanting a model to improve diversity at their institutions.

"In the past two years since our office was established, we have been working around the clock to build relationships across campus and in the community with a focus on creating a comprehensive student and faculty diversity strategy," said Lisa Firmin, associate provost for faculty and student diversity and recruitment. "I am pleased to see UTSA's various diversity and inclusion efforts from around the entire university included among other outstanding nationally known institutions."

UTSA aspires to be a Tier One university while embracing its role as a Hispanic- and minority-serving institution. As an emerging research university, UTSA provides access and opportunity for historically underserved students as more than 60 percent of UTSA students come from groups underrepresented in higher education and many are the first in their families to attend a university.

Did you know? A few facts about UTSA diversity initiatives and recognition:

• Established in 2012, the Presidential Distinguished Diversity Awards program recognizes diversity/inclusion efforts among students, faculty and staff.
• Both the College of Business and College of Engineering graduate programs were recognized in Hispanic Business magazine's 2011 Best Schools for Hispanics.
• The university has been awarded Military Friendly School status by GI Jobs magazine for the last three years, ranking in the top 15 percent of more than 12,000 schools for efforts to recruit and retain military members and veterans.
• The study abroad program is quite diverse with students from every continent except Antarctica.
• The Ally Program provides training and resources to faculty and staff members to create a welcoming and supportive environment for students who identify as LGBTQ.
• UTSA has more than 285 registered student organizations, a Multicultural Greek Council and National Pan-Hellenic Association, which include numberous historically black fraternities and sororities.
• Forty-three faculty members have received at least one Fulbright Scholarship and five students participated in Fulbright programs in 2012.
• One of the university's freshman orientation programs is conducted in Spanish for students and parents so that more students' families can be involved with the university experience.

For more information, visit the UTSA Diversity website.