What's New in OMA&D

There are several exciting updates taking place in the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity relating to websites, social media and new initiatives.

Web Site Updates
The Diversity and OMA&D web pages were updated this past summer to reflect the new UW design standards. If you haven’t already, make sure to visit these new pages by clicking on the links above. The most significant change is that the new and improved Diversity page will soon become a “portal” page, giving users broader access to diversity related services and resources throughout campus.

Get Connected on Facebook
OMA&D now has a Facebook page! Become a fan and a find another way to stay connected to the latest information regarding events and department news. The page is accessible by either clicking on the link above or the new Facebook link on the OMA&D web page.

Diversity. It’s the Washington Way.
In conjunction with the UW’s new marketing and branding campaign, many departments on campus have adopted "slogans" to join the University’s new tagline: It’s the Washington Way. "Diversity. It’s the Washington Way" has been selected by OMA&D.

New Initiatives
OMA&D was recently awarded a pair of five-year grants from the U.S. Department of Education to support low-income and first-generation college students. A new $1.1 million grant under the TRIO Student Support Services Program will assist 120 students per year as they persist through undergraduate programs with a focus on the science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. The UW will also benefit from a grant renewal totaling $2.1 million for its existing Student Support Services program that serves 300 students.

OMA&D Welcomes University of Washington State GEAR UP Project
Effective Sept. 1, the University of Washington State Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Project joined the UW Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity (OMA&D). The project was previously housed in the UW College of Engineering. The UW State GEAR UP Project was established in 1999 as a partnership between the Office of the Governor, the Higher Education Coordinating Board (HECB), and the University of Washington. GEAR UP fosters college awareness and readiness for low-income middle and high school students by providing a variety of programs targeted to students, administrators and teachers. OMA&D’s Outreach and Recruitment unit also has two large GEAR UP grants serving students in Eastern Washington and Skagit Valley.