African American Advisory Council

The UA President’s African American Advisory Council strengthens the relationships between the University and African American communities within the State of Arizona by serving as a communications conduit and by developing mutually-beneficial partnerships. Council members advise the President on matters of importance to African American communities as they relate to the University of Arizona.

Highlights of Council Accomplishments

  • Created the UA Fall Welcome Event.  The Fall Welcome Event fully funded and sponsored by the African American Advisory Council connects faculty, staff and students with community members in recognition that a sense of belonging to the local community can aid in the retention of UA students and employees.  The first year the Council sponsored the Fall Event more than 300 participants attended and the numbers have grown with each successive event.
  • Advised the UA to create a digital nexus that current and future students, faculty, and staff along with community supporters can use in order to learn more about the array of UA diversity-related opportunities, resources, and services available to them.  The UA officially launched the UA Diversity Portal in fall 2010.
  • Council members have helped increase the number of African American students enrolled at the UA through activities such as contacting students who have been accepted to the UA, but not yet enrolled.  Council members also write personal notes to participants of the UA’s African American Family College Planning Day encouraging young students to consider college as part of their futures.

 
Select Council Interests and Initiatives

  • Serving as a resource to help the UA increase the number of African American faculty and administrators.
  • Planning for the African American Advisory Council’s Annual Fall Welcome Event.
  • Partnering with African American Student Affairs to create a community mentoring program for students.  The goal of the program is to increase student retention rates.
  • Engaging in future fundraising in support of student programming.

Council Updates
Learn more about current events at the UA and access important messages from the Council.

Council Members
Review a list of the current Council members.

Stay Connected
We are committed to serving as a communications conduit between southern Arizona’s African American communities and the UA President. We also value and welcome your input.  Please email your questions, suggestions, or comments. Contact us.

Note:  The Council accomplishments and interests/initiatives above are not an exhaustive list, but rather illustrative of the Council’s work.  The University of Arizona is indebted to Council members who so generously volunteer their time and talent in support of students.