San Diego State University
PAE-8: Support Programs for Underrepresented Groups

SDSU has dozens of university recognized student groups, scholarships and departmental programs aimed at supporting under-represented groups and help students from diverse backgrounds succeed at SDSU. The university’s course offerings reflect the diversity of its student body, faculty and staff. The following programs are a selection of the many programs aimed at supporting under-represented students: The Senate committee on Diversity, Equity and Outreach creates policy and addresses diversity and equity issues for the university at large. DEO is comprised of students, faculty and staff representatives. SDSU's Educational Opportunity Program, started in 1970, provides support for low-income, educationally disadvantaged students throughout their entire San Diego State University experience. Over the past four decades EOP has played a key role in diversifying the SDSU student body, helping up to 3,500 students a year. The Office of Intercultural Relations supports underrepresented SDSU students by providing information, resources, and fostering a climate where equity and mutual respect are intrinsic. The office hosts diversity awareness programs, conferences and community mixers, and provides meeting space to support multi-cultural student organizations and under-represented groups. The Cultural Competency Certificate Program, the first in the California State University system, consists of cultural diversity workshops, seminars, and service learning opportunities available to all members of the SDSU community. The Program links the diversity of the university’s student population, creating an experiential shift in values, attitudes and behaviors that will result in a fully engaged workforce. Upon completion of this program, students will be able to leverage their cultural competencies in order to better access new and emerging markets. SDSU's Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS)-Intitiative for Maximizing Student Development (IMSD) Program is an intensive undergraduate research training program which prepares students for direct entry into biomedical or behavioral Ph.D. programs. In 2008, the MBRS IMSD Program was awarded a new 4-year grant from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to continue supporting undergraduates. The NIGMS program goal is improve the participation of historically underrepresented students in the sciences and increase the number of underrepresented students who matriculate directly to a Ph.D. program. SDSU plays a key role in California’s Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program, which helps educationally disadvantaged students enter and excel in technical professions. SDSU's Compact Scholars Program is a model for how universities and communities can work together to enhance access to higher education for a large number of diverse students. The Compact Scholars Program is the postsecondary component of the Compact for Success, a partnership between the Sweetwater Union High School District and San Diego State University, which guarantees a place at SDSU for every student from the district’s classes through 2014 who meets certain academic standards. The CSP program nurtures academic and social success in students by connecting them to the rich resources of the San Diego State campus community.

The Senate committee on Diversity, Equity and Outreach creates policy and addresses diversity and equity issues for the university at large including faculty concerns. DEO is comprised of students, faculty and staff representatives. The Center for Teaching and Learning leads professional development sessions for faculty to support a diverse and vibrant faculty culture. The Center also supports a diverse student population by offering faculty lunch and learn programs on student success and diversity. Recent session titles include: "Teaching Diverse Students and Perspectives," "New Decade, New Opportunities— Crea4ng Learning Environments for Diverse Students with Disabilities," and "Academically Adrift: New Evidence about Limited Learning on College Campuses." SDSU's Office of Intercultural Relations hosts an annual Annual Diversity Conference and welcomes faculty and staff to participate and to explore the complex issues surrounding diversity in today’s world. The Cross-Cultural Center provides safe spaces for faculty, students, and staff and fosters intellectual inquiry, identity development, social change, and acceptance of all people and cultures. In the spirit of San Diego State University’ s mission, the Center develops leaders to address local and international community needs. The Center advocates for the underserved and underrepresented. The Office of Employee Relations and Compliance (OERC) supports SDSU’s mission to "cultivate a campus climate that promotes human dignity, civility, and mutual appreciation for the uniqueness of each member of our community" by advising and guides the campus community on policy and practice related to employee relations and compliance issues. OERC seeks to ensure that an equal and diverse campus community is available to all on a nondiscriminatory and non-harassment basis. OERC works with faculty and staff on freedom of speech issues and with the campus protect faculty, staff and students from discrimination, harassment, and violence against persons or property. The City Heights Educational Collaborative involves more than 100 faculty members from 40 departments in supporting families and educating children in one of San Diego’s most diverse neighborhoods. By engaging faculty from a broad range of disciplines and backgrounds in this effort the program encourages cross-disciplinary collaboration in research and outreach.

Many of the programs that support diversity within the faculty and students are also available to staff The President's Leadership Fund provides support in the form of small grants to faculty and staff for projects that pursue innovation and reward excellence at San Diego State University. President's Leadership Fund Investments have supported programs and projects that benefit veterans, encourage and contribute student success. 2009-10 projects that support under-represented groups include: Chicana and Chicano Studies Archive Project, The Virtual Student Resources Center (vSRC), the SDSU Peer Counseling Project and the Career Services/Vet Success project. Women’s Resource Center, connected to the Women's Studies Program provides free, accessible information, resources, and referrals on gender-related issues faced by students, faculty, and staff at SDSU.