The Office of Multicultural Development (OMD) has undergone many changes over the years to continually improve the services provided to students at The University of Akron.
In fall 2012, OMD joined the Division of Strategic Engagement under the leadership of Jim Tressel, vice president for strategic engagement. In this new role, the office focuses on academic support services targeting multicultural students. These services include learning communities, such as PASSAGE, INTERACT and African American Male. OMD also offers peer mentoring services, ADVANCE, a two-day multicultural orientation for students and parents, and the annual Awards and Scholarship Dinner, which raises funds to support the OMD's scholarship endowment.
Campus partnerships benefit students
Additionally, OMD has focused on increasing collaborations across campus. For example, the office is working more closely with the Career Center to assist students in gaining relevant learning experiences, and partnering with International Programs to encourage multicultural students to pursue study abroad opportunities.
OMD also works closely with academic advising units to assist incoming students with a smooth transition to college life and to create a successful Akron Experience that puts them on the path to graduation and a career.
Our new roles allow us to work more closely with faculty and departments across campus to provide diversity and educational training.
Students and their success remains the core mission of the Office of Multicultural Development. We are committed to creating and sustaining effective ways to impact the experiences of all students at UA in a positive and lasting way.
The Office of Inclusion and Equity will now oversee programming for such University-sponsored events as the annual Martin Luther King Day Celebration, Women Trailblazers and the Black Male Summit.