Poster Abstracts

University of Oklahoma

Diversity at the University of Oklahoma: Building on Success

A pyramid of research and programs frames current efforts to reach diversity at the University of Oklahoma (OU). Funding for these efforts has come from such sources as the National Science Foundation, the Presbyterian Health Foundation, the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and the Williams Companies. The foundation of the pyramid includes efforts that involve undergraduates, graduate students, faculty, and staff in systemic activities that focus on women and underrepresented minorities. These systemic activities include connecting undergraduate and graduate students with high-need schools, research focusing on successful students, internships and research experiences, degree programs, and chapters of student professional organizations. This foundation supports efforts that concentrate on three key aspects of education: K12 outreach, undergraduate recruitment and retention, and faculty and policies. Outreach includes interventions that involve K12 students with science, mathematics, and engineering activities as well as partnerships with magnet schools. Efforts to recruit and retain undergraduates range from scholarships to academic interventions to advisory boards. At the faculty level, multiple efforts are underway to increase diversity at all levels by building on existing strengths and fixing existing weaknesses. Of course, in pyramids each rising portion is dependent upon previous portions and necessary for the pinnacle, which in this case is diversity at OU. As we continue to strive toward diversity, there is an implied emphasis on transition points where efforts are concentrated on moving diverse populations from high school to undergraduate studies to graduate studies to industry or academia. It is through these systemic efforts that diversity will be achieved.