Chatham University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

At Chatham University, the PACE center offers academic support programs, career development, and a learning center. We also the Gateway adult student program, for non traditional age students. There is counseling, mentoring and the opportunity to gain academic credit for knowledge gained through employment, job training, volunteer and civic activities, military service and travel. Each group of students who identify as an at-risk or protected group have a liason in the office of student affairs (Minority Students, Commuter Students, Veteran Students, Transfer Students, Gateway Adult Students, Student Athletes, Resident Students, Graduate Students, International Students and Out of State Students). Each month, events are held on campus to celebrate diversity including Hispanic Heritage Month, LGTB History Month, Native American Indian Heritage Month, Black History Month, Women of Color HerStory Month, Women’s History Month, Asian-Pacific Islander Month and Jewish Heritage Month. Additionally, several student organizations are sponsored by the Chatham Student Government and support and promote multicultural initiatives including: Students Against Sexual Oppression Black Student Union Amnesty International Feminist Activists Creating Equality Muslim Student Association All Faith Gathering

Chatham University has participated in the Scholar Rescue Fund for the past four years. The program allows Chatham University to sponsor a faculty member from an underrepresented country to teach at Chatham University. Our first rescue scholar now has a full assistantship in a doctoral program at another university. http://www.scholarrescuefund.org/pages/posts/featured-scholar-fall-200916.php

We have several programs that provide opportunities for masters-level women, generally underrepresented in academia, to get teaching experience and credit needed for advancement. The MFA Creative Writing program and the MAP to PsyD participate in this program. Since 1999, we have had an EO and Affirmative Action Policy which we review in all new employee orientation sessions and supervisor training on the Employee Manual. As part of the policy, we make good faith efforts in supporting diversity initiatives. Below are some highlights and accomplishments from our policy: • Our executive team has 66% women and 33% minority representation. • Our management team has 66% women and 13.8% minority representation. • We hired a minority female as Assistant VP of Admission. • We hired a minority female as Residence Life Coordinator. • We promoted a minority male with the understanding that he completes trade school training as a locksmith. This was the first minority hired into the skilled trade job classification. • We hired a female as Assistant Head Gardener. This was the first female in the grounds classification. • Our security has 22% women and 11% minority representation. Police and security are traditionally dominated by male representation.