Campus-wide programs

"Rising to the Occasion"
The Office of Multicultural Development, through the support of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, has implemented "Rising to the Occasion", a comprehensive, educational recruitment and retention model to increase the number of African American males enrolling and successfully graduating from The University of Akron.  Students participating in the "Rising to the Occasion" will be actively engated by the campus community and become acclimated to the academic rigors of college. 

Akron International Friends Network

Akron International Friendship (AIF) serves as a vital link between International students, scholars, and the broader Akron community through the Speakers Service. The Speakers Service promotes intercultural relationships. International students and scholars who are members inof the Speakers Service volunteer to go to local schools to share their culture, customs, and language.

Black Male Summit

The Black Male Summit is held on the campus of The University of Akron annually in April where nationally renowned speakers, educational leaders, practitioners, and students explore the critical issues impacting black males in higher education. The summit will go beyond discussion of the problems and will serve as a forum to discover solutions. 

Confucius Institute

The University of Akron’s Confucius Institute is dedicated to "enhancing the understanding of the Chinese language and culture" around the world. Drawing on the extensive resources for the study of China at The University of Akron, the institute will provide UA students and the region with high- quality programming.

Diversity Week

Diversity week is an annual event of a week of events sponsored by a collection of campus affinity groups, where each display is an enriching event that teaches, trains, or increases a student’s knowledge of how to be more culturally competent. Watch this space for Diversity Week Schedule 2010.

I.T.L. Racial Climate Survey

The I.T.L. Racial Climate Survey, coordinated by the Office of the Provost, took measure of The University of Akron’s level of cultural competency. The survey covered a broad base of questions and responses, and resulted in a overall temperature of the campus climate. Read an analysis of the 2006 survey.

M.L.K. Speaker Series

The M.L.K. Speaker Series is a series of enlightening speaking engagements sponsored by the Office of Inclusion & Equity and the Office of Multicultural Development that takes place on the celebrated day of Dr. Martin Luther King’s birth.

Rethinking Race Week

Eleven years ago President Clinton chose the University of Akron as the location for his first Town Hall Meeting on Race. Today, students, faculty and staff have come together to plan a series of events known as Rethinking Race: Black, White and Beyond. This is the second year in our ongoing and pro-active work in understanding race relations (including racial and ethnic conflicts) in general, and also improving upon the racial climate on our campus. Usually Rethinking Race Week is held annually on campus at University Of Akron in February. Learn More

Department-sponsored programs

Advance Orientation

Sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Development, Advance Orientation is a special two-day orientation program for students of color. Participants meet with current UA students, faculty, and administrators to discuss how to meet the challenges typically encountered in the freshmen year. Students stay overnight in a residence hall, learn about financial aid, and learn more about the services available to help them succeed academically. Learn more about Advance and the orientation dates for the current year.

Community Forums (Academic Achievement/OMD)

Community Forums are a series of discussions that have been started by the Office of Academic Achievement and are discussions of issues that affect the community and University population.

Developmental Learning Communities

These groups are formed to help entering students acclimate quickly to the setting, context, and expectations of a university environment. These communities seek to help students sharpen study skills and devise a routine that enables academic success.

Diversity in Learners (College of Education)

This course will provide students a strong background with new perspectives relating to social diversity and social justice in America. The major course interest will focus on constructs such as: racism, anti-Semitism, sexism, heterosexism, able-ism, and classism. The text, “Readings for Diversity and Social Justice” is designed to look at multiple manifestations of social oppression using a sequential approach. More about the program (PDF file).

Educational Talent Search Program (Academic Achievement Programs)

The Educational Talent Search Program is a federally funded TRIO program that serves 1,025 students in 6th through 12th grade in targeted Akron Public Schools. Applications are accepted year round. The program provides free services to assist participants in successful enrollment or re-enrollment in post-secondary education.

4PAS Learning Communities (Four Phase Advising System)

The Four Phase Advising System 4PAS provides enrolled students of color with unique, personalized, academic, and career-related advising. The program focuses on enhancing students' potential for learning, while investing in their personal and professional growth. The advising relationship between advisers and advisees will also facilitate the process of students becoming self- and socially aware individuals. Some of the benefits of 4PAS include personalized academic and career-related advising, increased awareness of personal and professional opportunities,  participation in the Office of Multicultural Development Laptop Loan Program, and receive peer/professional staff support. Learn more.

Hispanic Heritage Day (Admissions/OMD)

During Hispanic Heritage Day, students are given a guided tour of our UA campus and Robertson Dining Hall. They are also introduced to faculty and administration here at the university. This is also sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Development and the Office of Admissions. Learn more about visiting UA.

Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) Program

The College of Engineering, in recognizing that American industries will require an ever-increasing diverse number of people in high-technology areas, initiated the Increasing Diversity in Engineering Academics (IDEAs) Program (formerly known as Minority Engineering Tutor Incentive Program) in January 1990. The IDEAs Program is committed to increasing diversity, enrollment, retention and graduation of all students in engineering fields — particularly in under-represented groups (African-American, Hispanic, Native Americans, and Asian Pacifics).

Immigration Counseling

Immigration Counseling offered by the Office of International Programs walks students through the process of applying for visas and passports.

McNair Scholars Program (Trio Achievement Program)

College students who are considering study beyond the baccalaureate level can realize their dreams through the McNair Scholars Program at The University of Akron. Our goal is to help economically disadvantaged, first generation, and underrepresented undergraduates pursue graduate education through advising and mentoring, research and professional conference experiences, seminars, and workshops.

New International Student Orientation (International Programs)

Provided by the Office of International Programs, the New International Student Orientation is designed to help international students acclimate to college life in America. Along with tours, the students are given cultural information that helps international students make the most of their time at The University of Akron.

OMD's Annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner

ThOMD Awards and Scholarship Dinner recognizes the students, faculty, and staff who have helped the Office of Multicultural Development achieve its goals throughout the year. At the celebration, scholarships are awarded to students who have excelled in academics and responsibility.

Pre-Engineering Program (Academic Achievement Programs)

The Pre-Engineering Program at The University of Akron identifies, recruits, and selects Upward Bound, Upward Bound Math Science, and Educational Talent Search students who demonstrate the potential for success in engineering. This program is designed for students whose future plans include a college engineering curriculum and a career in science, mathematics, or engineering. The University of Akron Academic Achievement Programs have a unique opportunity designed especially for these students. It is called Pre Engineering. Learn more.

Pre-Kwanzaa Celebration (Pan-African Studies/OMD)

The Pre-Kwanzaa celebration, coordinated by the Office of Multicultural Development and Pan-African Studies, recognizes the African American holiday. This program allows for students of all cultural backgrounds to experience and be a part of the celebration that is a cornerstone of African-American heritage.

Passage Learning Communities 1&2

The Passage Learning Community is a learning community for first-year students of color in which the curriculum is designed to meet general education requirements, regardless of academic track or major. The Passage Learning Community consists of two structured experiences, Passage I and Passage II. Passage I is for the soft science and liberal arts majors (psychology, sociology, communications, business, education political science, or undecided). Passage II has been designed for the hard-science majors (engineering, biology, chemistry, and nursing). Benefits of both learning communities include connection to on-campus activities and events, access to the Office of Multicultural Development Laptop loan program, small class sizes, leadership opportunities, easy first-year class registration and structured study table program. Learn more about Passage.

Pan African Center for Community Development (Pan-African Studies)

The Pan African Center for Community Studies combines the best of the academic world with the best of the social and community worlds. It combines the many missions of the urban university to be both socially and academically engaged with the society at large.

Strive Toward Excellence Program (Academic Achievement Programs)

The Strive Toward Excellence Program (STEP) is a pre-college preparatory program designed for middle school students to promote the pursuit of a college degree. Students are inducted into STEP while they are enrolled in the sixth grade, and then remain in STEP for two years. Learn more.

Upward Bound Program (Academic Achievement programs)

The Upward Bound Program is a federally funded TRIO program which provides free academic support services that include a six-week residential summer component for income-eligible students to assure participants will have an opportunity to obtain a post-secondary education. Learn more.

Upward Bound Math & Science (Academic Achievement Programs)

Located at The University of Akron and utilizing the Goodyear Polymer Center, Upward Bound Math & Science is believed to be the only pre-college polymer program in the entire country. Focusing on polymer science, the program has two interrelated components: a six-week summer residential program, and an academic year follow-up program. This federally funded TRIO program serves 50 high school students, grades 10-12. Learn more.

Verna Trushel Displaced Homemakers Scholarship Program

The Verna Trushel Displaced Homemakers Scholarship (VTDHS) is provided to support the displaced homemaker who desires to enhance employment opportunities by completing academic course work. The VTDHS is funded by a private donor. Additional funding is provided by ZONTA ABC, a women's philanthropic organization. Learn more.

Women Trailblazers (OMD)

The Women Trailblazers program is a part of The University of Akron’s celebration of Women’s History Month. This program highlights some key women in the community, and brings in speakers who are profound women of accomplishments. This program is a collaboration by the Office of Inclusion & Equity and the Office of Multicultural Development.

Woman in Engineering Program

The College of Engineering established the Women in Engineering Program in 1993 to recruit more women into engineering disciplines by providing the tools and resources students need to successfully complete their degrees. The Women in Engineering Program is committed to increasing the quality and quantity of well-educated engineers in the workforce.

Women’s Heritage Month (Student Life)

The Women's Heritage Month celebration is chaired by Student Life, who form a committee of affinity groups who meeet together nd generate special programming pertaining to topics, presentations, and exhibitions of historic women.