UAB Minority Programs

 

Vice President for Equity and Diversity (Louis Dale, PhD)

The Vice President for Equity and Diversity is responsible for providing effective leadership in the development, coordination, implementation and assessment of a comprehensive array of programs to promote diversity and understanding of differences at UAB.  The Vice President for Equity and Diversity reports directly to the President on matters related to policy and vision and to the Provost on matters related to the management of programs.

The major responsibilities of the Vice President for Equity and Diversity include the following:

·         Works with vice presidents, Provost and deans to develop, implement and assess strategies, activities and programs that are designed to increase and enhance faculty, student and staff diversity at all levels of the University, with a particular focus on enhancing understanding, appreciation and respect for differences such as race, gender, ethnicity, culture and sexual orientation.

·         Works with the Provost and deans to strengthen faculty search procedures and efforts so that members of underrepresented minorities and females are well represented in search committees, candidate pools and new faculty and administrators.  As part of this responsibility, the Vice President for Equity and Diversity serves as UAB Faculty Affirmative Action Officer and coordinates all faculty related affirmative action matters relating to faculty and administrators; is available to assist on faculty and administrator recruitments; and compiles an Affirmative Action Annual Report and other reports for the Provost and President to monitor progress on diversity goals.

·         Works with the Vice President for Student Affairs and deans to develop strategies and programs to recruit underrepresented minority students.

·         Works with the Vice President for Development, Alumni and External Relations, the Provost and deans to develop and implement activities to enhance external support for diversity and equity programs, with particular emphasis on undergraduate and graduate scholarships and fellowships.

·         Builds and maintains effective external relations and collaborations in the city, state and nation that enhance support for programs of equity and diversity.

·         Administers the Comprehensive Minority Faculty and Student Development Program and related program grants.

·         Serves as a member of the President's Cabinet, Academic Programs Council (APC) and the Executive Committee of the APC and also serves or leads other University-level committees related to equity and diversity.

  • Undertakes additional assignments at the discretion of the President and Provost.

 

The Comprehensive Minority Faculty and Student Development Program (CMFSDP) 

In 1988, UAB President Charles A. McCallum introduced and vigorously supported the CMFSDP, a program designed to develop, enhance and utilize the intellectual capabilities of minorities.  In order to maximize program results, it was determined that these efforts must include students early in their academic training and provide special stimulation, reduce or eliminate barriers and offer special programs for intellectual and professional development at all levels, from elementary and secondary schools through graduate and professional schools.  Further, UAB needed to increase the number of African American faculty and other professionals to provide effective role models for young minority students.  As a result of this philosophy, the CMFSDP includes the following: Faculty Recruitment Awards, Faculty Development Awards, Visiting Faculty Awards, Graduate Fellowships and Undergraduate Scholarships.

Faculty Recruitment Awards - A one-time award of up to $15,000 (based on need and availability of funds) may be provided to any unit recruiting a qualified African American candidate to a tenure or tenure-track faculty position.  The funds should be used by the unit to provide support for the professional development of the proposed faculty member.  Such support may include release-time for the faculty member to engage in research activities, the purchase of minor equipment and travel to serve as an invited speaker/presenter at a professional conference within the United States.

Faculty Development Awards - An award of up to $2,500 (based on need and availability of funds) may be provided to tenure/tenure-track African American faculty, particularly junior-level faculty without a Faculty Recruitment Award, for activities designed to assist in preparation for tenure and/or promotion applications.  Such support may include release-time to allow the faculty member to engage in research activities, the purchase of minor equipment and travel to serve as an invited speaker/presenter at a professional conference within the United States.

Visiting Faculty Awards are available to units to support highly qualified or special purpose African American faculty whose presence will provide high visibility for African American students and faculty.  These awards may also be used to bring African American faculty to campus to collaborate with faculty on research and other projects.

Graduate Fellowships ($21,000 plus tuition and fees) are available to qualified African American students, newly enrolled at UAB and seeking to earn a PhD degree.  Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent United States residents in order to be eligible to receive a fellowship.

Undergraduate Scholarship Supplements are available to qualified African American students, newly enrolled at UAB and seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree.  This supplement increases a UAB Scholarship to provide full tuition and fees and opportunities for two (2) $1,000.00 summer internships.  The internships are designed for students to work in an area consistent with their educational objectives.  Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent United States residents in order to be eligible to receive a scholarship.  The scholarship supplements are renewable for three additional years for students that continue to meet the scholarship supplement requirements.

Since 1992, the University has provided a budget of almost $1,000,000 annually to implement this program.  Of this, $800,000 is provided for student recruitment, mentoring and retention activities at both the graduate and undergraduate levels.  It is noted here that while the program is open to all students, the majority of the students participating in the program are science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) majors.

 

The Equity and Diversity Enhancement Program (EDEP)

With award categories much like the CMFSDP, this Program was implemented to enhance opportunities for minorities and women.

Faculty Recruitment Awards - A one-time award of up to $15,000 (based on need and availability of funds) will be provided to any unit recruiting a qualified underrepresented minority or women faculty candidate to a tenure or tenure-track faculty position.  The funds should be used by the unit to provide support for the professional development of the proposed faculty member.  Such support may include release-time for the faculty member to engage in research activities, the purchase of minor equipment and travel to serve as an invited speaker/presenter at a professional conference within the United States.

Faculty Development Awards - An award of up to $2,500 (based on need and availability of funds) may be provided to tenure/tenure-track underrepresented minority or women faculty, particularly junior-level faculty without a Faculty Recruitment Award, for activities designed to assist in preparation for tenure and/or promotion applications.  Such support may include release-time to allow the faculty member to engage in research activities, the purchase of minor equipment and travel to serve as an invited speaker/presenter at a professional conference within the United States.

Graduate Fellowships ($21,000 plus tuition and fees) are available to qualified underrepresented minority or women students, newly enrolled at UAB and seeking to earn a PhD degree.  Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent United States residents in order to be eligible to receive a fellowship.

Undergraduate Scholarship Supplements are available to qualified underrepresented minority or women students, newly enrolled at UAB and seeking to earn a bachelor’s degree.  This supplement increases a UAB Scholarship to provide full tuition and fees and opportunities for two (2) $1,000.00 summer internships.  The internships are designed for students to work in an area consistent with their educational objectives.  Applicants must be United States citizens or permanent United States residents in order to be eligible to receive a scholarship.  The scholarship supplements are renewable for three additional years for students that continue to meet the scholarship supplement requirements.

 

The Alabama Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (ALSAMP) Program

The ALSAMP Program is supported by a grant from The National Science Foundation (NSF) and includes the following institutions: The University of Alabama at Birmingham (lead institution), Alabama A&M University, Alabama State University, Auburn University, Miles College, Oakwood College, Stillman College, Talladega College, Tuskegee University, The University of Alabama, The University of Alabama in Huntsville, and The University of South Alabama. 

The goal of the Alabama alliance is to increase significantly the number of minorities receiving bachelor’s degrees in STEM in Alabama.  The Program’s activities include: ALSAMP Scholars Program, Summer Bridge Program for high school graduates, Summer Research Program for undergraduate STEM students, Graduate Bridge Program for graduate school bound undergraduates, Drop-In Centers/Cooperative Learning Centers for STEM students, the NSF Summer Research Conference for ALSAMP students and the NSF ALSAMP Magazine.  The ALSAMP Program is aimed at increasing the quality and quantity of students successfully completing STEM baccalaureate degree programs and increasing the number of students interested in, academically qualified for and matriculated into programs of graduate study.  The Bridge to the Doctorate program assists graduate students with their transition into a doctoral program.  ALSAMP supports sustained and comprehensive approaches that facilitate achievement of the long-term goal of increasing the number of students who earn doctorates in STEM fields, particularly those from populations underrepresented in STEM fields.  Currently, ALSAMP is piloting a Bridge to Teaching (BT) program at UAB designed to attract graduates from STEM disciplines at the baccalaureate level and offer a program in which students may become certified to teach in a STEM discipline at the secondary level and earn a master’s degree simultaneously.

 

The Alabama Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate (AAGEP) Program

The AAGEP Program is supported by a grant from the NSF and includes all institutions in the state that grant doctoral degrees.  The AAGEP program is designed to increase significantly the number of underrepresented minority students receiving doctoral degrees in STEM and entering the professoriate.  The program includes the following:

  • Graduate school awareness activities to introduce students to a variety of available graduate opportunities and careers.
  • Student conferences that bring students together as they prepare for admission to a selected doctoral program.
  • An institutional mentoring and advising program utilizing current graduate students and faculty members to contribute to academic guidance activities.
  • Graduate school preparation activities that provide technical assistance and workshops to assist students with GRE tutorials and the application process for graduate schools.
  • A graduate bridge program to assist students with their transition into a doctoral program.

 

Experimental Program to Simulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR)

The Alabama EPSCoR Summer Program recruits students to participate in research during the summer term.  EPSCoR students are paid a stipend plus tuition, fees, room and board.  Each student is assigned a research mentor; is enrolled in STEM courses and is required to complete a research project which is presented at the EPSCoR Summer Research Conference.  UAB is the lead institution with partners Alabama A&M University, Auburn University and the University of Alabama at Huntsville.

 

Title VI

The President’s Committee on Black Faculty Recruitment and Retention advises the President and UAB administration on the best methods for increasing and retaining black representation within the UAB faculty and administration.  To date, twenty-five Black faculty members have been recruited using the court mandated funds and five faculty members have received retention awards to support professional activities.

 

Department of Supplier Diversity

The Department of Supplier Diversity Program ensures that all vendors have better access to and knowledge of the university’s procurement system.  This follows the University’s commitment to equal opportunity being applied to all purchasing decisions with the objective of achieving and fostering greater Minority, Women Owned, Hub-Zone, Veteran and Service Disabled Veteran Owned Business participation in UAB’s procurement and construction programs.

Procurement buyers, contractors and other university decision-makers are encouraged to establish relationships with minority and women-owned businesses and are encouraged to use the Supplier Diversity Online Directory (SDOD) and hardcopy directory to identify minority and women-owned businesses. 

 

 

Approved by:  Louis Dale, PhD, Vice President for Equity and Diversity

Date:  October 1, 2007

 

 

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