UC College of Allied Health Sciences receives top diversity award

This prestigious honor recognizes the college’s dedication to fostering diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) within its academic environment and its commitment to cultivating an inclusive health care workforce of the future. This is the sixth consecutive year the college has been a recipient of the award. 

CAHS has developed strong partnerships with community organizations and local schools to increase access to higher education for students from underrepresented backgrounds. The CPS Strong initiative, a collaboration between UC and Cincinnati Public Schools (CPS), focuses on readiness, access and success for CPS students. CAHS has also received grant funding to support pathway initiatives that expose CPS students to allied health professions, helping to create a pipeline of diverse students into health care careers. As a result of these focused efforts, CAHS has increased CPS students in our first-year class by 25% over the course of the last year.

CAHS has established a partnership with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), such as Central State University and Wilberforce University, to create seamless pathways for students to enroll in graduate programs at UC. This project has also provided faculty with intercultural competence training and established a mentoring program to support students throughout their academic journeys.

The fall 2024 CAHS incoming class was the second largest in the college’s history. Enrollment reached 504 new undergraduate students, a 10% increase over last year, and graduate enrollment increased by 18% to 220 new students. The diversity of this cohort reflects the college’s focus on inclusive recruitment strategies; 26.8% of the incoming undergraduate class identifies as underrepresented by race and/or ethnicity, marking a 3.4% increase over fall 2023. Additionally, 26.3% of students will be first-generation college students, which represents a 2.1% increase over the previous year. Students from 11 countries outside of the United States are also part of the incoming class, demonstrating the global reach of the college’s programs. 

The diversity of this class is a testament to CAHS’s sustained efforts to increase access to higher education for underrepresented populations and the strength of our partnerships. This commitment aligns with the Urban Futures and Community Health priorities in UC’s Next Lives Here Strategic Direction.

“As we diversify our student population and support their success, we are expanding the health care workforce and developing allied health professionals who reflect the communities and patients they serve," said College of Allied Health Sciences’ Dean Charity Accurso, PhD. “This work is critical in addressing the health disparities that exist across various communities.”

Beyond recruitment, CAHS is deeply invested in the retention and success of its students, particularly those from underrepresented groups in the allied health professions. One of the most significant initiatives in this area is the $1 million grant from UC’s Equity Office, awarded to colleges demonstrating evidence-based programs to increase retention and graduation rates for underrepresented minority (URM), first-generation and Pell-eligible students. CAHS was thrilled to receive this grant for the 2023-24 academic year, which will support students during their first two years of college. The initiative wraps students in a network of support that includes success coaching, academic advising, counseling, supplemental instructors, peer leaders, program faculty and college leadership.

These targeted support systems have been proven to make a meaningful difference in students’ academic journeys, helping them overcome barriers and ensuring they have the tools to succeed in their chosen fields. The impact of this increased support has been seen through student feedback and a rise in engagement at support events.

CAHS actively supports two diverse student organizations: the UC Association of Black Social Workers (UCABSW) and Multicultural Concerns in Communication Sciences and Disorders (MC2). These organizations provide students with the opportunity to engage with peers and professionals who share their experiences and goals, while also promoting culturally aware practices in their respective fields.

The college also prioritizes student engagement in DEI efforts through its DEI committee, comprised of more than 50 faculty, staff and students. This ensures that students have a voice in shaping the college’s DEI initiatives and that their perspectives are considered in the development of programs and policies. The DEI committee also supports a variety of student and faculty DEI projects through annual grant funding.

The culture corner, a new space within the Health Sciences Building, serves as an example of the power of student perspectives. Three College of Allied Health Sciences students, Taryn Booker, Jasmine Robinson and Lauren Prather, were recipients of a CAHS DEI grant last year and were able to transform an empty corner into a thriving, safe space for all students. 

In addition to student-focused initiatives, CAHS is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive faculty and staff. The college has seen growth in its representation of diverse faculty hires and has implemented ongoing professional development to ensure that all faculty and staff have cultural humility and are prepared to work with diverse populations. The college’s involvement in UC’s Equal Opportunity Academy (EOA) has been instrumental in enhancing recruitment efforts to achieve more representative candidate pools.

As CAHS continues to advance its DEI efforts, the achievement of the HEED Award serves not only as a reflection of past successes but also as a motivator to continue striving for excellence in diversity and inclusion. The recognition from Insight Into Diversity affirms the college’s commitment to creating an academic environment where all students, faculty and staff feel valued and supported.

The award is also a critical step toward achieving CAHS’s long-term goal of building a more diverse and culturally competent health care workforce. In a world where health disparities persist, CAHS’s dedication to DEI initiatives ensures that its graduates will be prepared to meet the needs of diverse populations and contribute to more equitable health care outcomes.

Featured image at top: CAHS Success Coach, Ronay Lyons poses on the Health Sciences Building lawn with the Bearcat during first-gen week.