Office of Minority Affairs & Diversity

The OMA&D

Mission Statement

The mission of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity is to ensure the access and academic success of a diverse student population through the advancement of knowledge, academic excellence, diversity, and the promotion of values, principles, and a climate that enriches the campus experience for all.

History

The story of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity spans 40 years. On May 20, 1968, members of the Black Student Union and their supporters staged a sit-in at the office of UW President Charles Odegaard and submitted a list of demands. The demands included increased minority student enrollment at the UW and the establishment of a Black studies program. The BSU’s actions and President Odegaard’s response led to the establishment of student programs that increased minority outreach and enrollment and offered increased student support on campus. Since 1968:

The Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity has served over 40,000 underrepresented minority and educationally and economically disadvantaged students
The percentage of students of color enrolled at UW has increased from 4 percent in 1968 to 30 percent in 2007
Undergraduate, graduate and professional minority students numbered 12,197 in Autumn 2007

Today

At the University of Washington and around the state, our student programs serve:

10,000 middle and high school students as they prepare and plan for college, in collaboration with local school districts and community partners throughout Washington state
Over 4,200 undergraduate students with new student orientation, academic advising, instructional support, mentoring and financial aid and scholarship needs
More than 200 students as they prepare for, apply to, and succeed in graduate and professional programs