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The college experience is about more than books, professors
and exams. College life offers students many
opportunities to meet people and experience events from
backgrounds and cultures different than their own.
OFFICE OF MULTICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT
A variety of programs and services are available to students
through UA’s Office of Multicultural Development.
The office, which is located in the Buckingham Center,
supports the University in its
goal to recruit and retain students
of diverse backgrounds
by providing a variety of programs
and services. These
efforts include ADVANCE
Orientation, PASSAGE learning
community, ethnic and
peer connection groups.
In addition, the office holds
workshops on academic,
personal and career development;
study sessions; and
how to apply for scholarships
and financial aid, internships,
graduate and professional
schools. A computer lab for
student use also is located in
Buckingham Center.
The ADVANCE Orientation
program provides guidance
and advance preparation to
high school graduates who intend to enter UA as full-time
baccalaureate freshmen. Faculty, administrators and current
students facilitate this program. ADVANCE activities
include parent sessions, assessment and skill enhancement
activities, faculty guidance concerning educational
expectations in college, and social activities. PASSAGE
stands for Preparing Akron Students for Success and Great
Expectations. The program is a structured learning community
experience that promotes the academic and social
integration of students of diverse backgrounds into the
University. PASSAGE fosters student learning and retention
through collaborative and cooperative learning, and
promotes the use of learning technology.
The Transitions program is a collaborative effort of the
Office of Multicultural Development, the degree-granting
colleges and University College. Through this initiative,
the graduation support services unit monitors academic
progress and assists students in making decisions toward
degree completion. In addition, the program is designed to
prepare students for the transition from college to the world
of work or graduate school opportunities.
Transitions services include: workshops, personal, academic
and career consultation, transfer student liaison and
supplemental instruction.
The Four Phase Advising System (4PAS) assists conditionally
admitted, baccalaureate students of diverse backgrounds
enrolled in The University of Akron by providing
personalized, continual individual academic advisement by
professional staff members. These advisers, who have a
maximum of 25 students each, develop one-to-one advising
relationships with each of their assigned students.
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Lastly, the division offers several
leadership opportunities for
University of Akron undergraduate
and graduate students.
Peer mentors
are selected
to work with
first-year and
transfer students
through one of
the aforementioned
programs.
Additionally, peer
mentors assist professional staff with
facilitating workshops, orientation classes
and Extended Orientation activities.
The Leadership Development
Program is designed to assist college
students in developing personal skills and
competencies necessary for academic,
co-curricular, community outreach and
involvement.
PAN-AFRICAN CENTER FOR COMMUNITy STUDIES
The Pan-African Center for Community Studies, also
located in the Buckingham Center, offers lectures, programs
and activities to invite all students to appreciate,
understand and celebrate the rich cultural diversity of our
campus, community and nation. In addition, the Dr. Shirla
R. McClain Gallery of Akron’s Black History and Culture is
housed in the Buckingham Center.