FLORENCE – The University of North Alabama Board of Trustees recently approved the 2020-2025 Strategic Diversity and Inclusion Plan. The document is the work of a fifteen-member presidential task force that began its work in January 2019. The completed plan outlines five themes, including awareness, education, and training, which have been designed to guide and direct the University’s goals for inclusion and diversity for the next five years.
“This plan builds on the good work already underway on our campus in these areas,” said UNA President Ken Kitts. “The task force has given us an outstanding roadmap to follow as we establish UNA as a leader in higher education for diversity and inclusion.”
Diversity and inclusion are among UNA’s overarching strategic plan initiatives and mission as an institution of higher education. The recently adopted plan “seeks to build a climate of inclusion that will facilitate access as well as growth in underrepresented students and student success.”
“The new Strategic Diversity and Inclusion plan is rooted in values and beliefs of each constituent, both internal and external, founded on the hope of our ability to make progress and bring about change on real matters in the areas of diversity and inclusion,” said Ron Patterson, Chief Enrollment Officer and Assistant to the President for Diversity. “It provides UNA a chance to learn, discuss, appreciate, and respect our differences as we continue to grow to develop a greater community of inclusive excellence.”
Patterson said the plan will be beneficial for UNA and will likely serve as a model for other institutions as they seek to develop a more diverse and inclusive campus.
Media Release/Ms. Michelle Eubanks
Director, Communications and Marketing
University Communications and Marketing
UNA
