Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity Advising (OMAD)

 

Mission Statement

 

The mission of the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity is to ensure the access and academic success of diverse populations through the advancement of knowledge, academic excellence, diversity, and the promotion of values, principles, and a climate that enriches the campus experience for all.

 

Their mission seems to be driven by fostering academic success for under-represented populations.

 

Educational Opportunity Program Goals

 

Our goal is to develop a trusted advising relationship, which will allow us to work with you towards achieving your goals. Below is a listing of programs and services within the Office of Minority Affairs and Diversity designed with you in mind, which you may use as needed.

 

About Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) Advising Under OMAD

 

In addition to Undergraduate Academic Affairs advising center, the Office of Minority Affairs offers academic advising to students considered "high risk". For example, the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) under OMAD offers advising and counseling support for students who face hardships that could inhibit their ability to be successful at the University of Washington. To be a part of UEP students must exhibit qualities representative of an under-represented student. These qualities include: ethnic minorities, first-generation student, students aged out of Foster care, and low-income. Students who exhibit at least two of these characteristics will be eligible for the program.

 

Furthermore, unlike many other academic advising programs, UEP uses an intrusive approach to academic advising. They reach out to students that qualify for the program weeks before their first quarter at UW, so that they may be aware of UEP services. Students enrolled in the program are also required to meet with an adviser upon arrival to the university and before each registration period. Advisers in EOP are constantly monitoring their students. On average students meet with their assigned adviser 2-3 times each quarter. Additional appointments are also required if students are placed on academic warning or probation. It is evident that UW is extremely dedicated to the success of under-represented students by advocating for them through this program. Unlike many other advising strategies, UEP implements intrusive approaches to advising that makes the initial contact between students and advisers the advisers' responsibility rather than the students'. EOP takes a step further by realizing the inequities in education by reaching out to students who usually lack resourcefulness and experience less academic support form their family.

 

Qualifications of Academic Advisers in EOP

 

Most academic advisers in EOP have counseling backgrounds and all are required to have at least a master's degree. Similar to UAA advisers, UEP advisers have expertise spanning all major across the university. Until students declare a major and while they are pre- major status they primarily work with EOP advisers. Although, unlike UAA, UEP students tend to continue to seek advice from their assigned adviser even after they are accepted into a major. During interviews of staff, it seemed that many student and adviser relationships were built on a lot of trust and support that strengthened the connection even after they completed the initial required advising sessions. UEP also offers pre-major advising such as pre-engineering, pre-nursing, and pre- business as well as pre-med advising for students interested in applying to medical school.