Prospective Students

Underrepresented Students

At the UI College of Public Health, about 12 percent of the college's student body is African-American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino(a), or American Indian. An additional 24 percent are from countries other than the United States. One of the college's most important institutional goals is continuing to enhance the diversity of its student body.

The University of Iowa was the first U.S. public university to admit men and women on an equal basis, and has a long history of appreciating and promoting diversity. One of the University's top institutional goals is to continue to promote excellence in education by increasing the diversity of the University's faculty, staff, and students.

University-wide, African American, Asian, Hispanic/Latino(a), or American Indian make up 10.3 percent of the student population as of Fall 2009. Additionally, 8.0 percent of the total student body includes international students. Diversity resources at the University of Iowa include:

• UI Diversity Resources
• UI Chief Diversity Office
• Office of Graduate Ethnic Inclusion
• Admissions Resources for Diverse Populations

Valuing Diversity

The College of Public Health believes that diversity in the classroom is a vital component of educating future public health professionals and scientists. A well-rounded, culturally competent public health workforce is required to meet the health needs of the nation's growing ethnic and racial populations and to address the pressing health disparities faced by many groups.

"At the UI College of Public Health, we are committed to facilitating an atmosphere rich in cultural perspectives. We make a special effort to recruit and admit excellent students who reflect our country's demographic diversity. A diverse classroom environment contributes to a workforce eager to serve its community with respect and cultural sensitivity. When we embrace the differences within our students, faculty, and staff, we enhance classroom environments and research within the college, and in the end, we improve the quality of public health practice beyond our colleges' work."
- Tanya Uden-Holman, Associate Dean of Education and Student Affairs, Clinical Associate Professor of Health Management and Policy

Opportunities and resources for students within the College of Public Health include:

• The Dean's Graduate Fellowship Program
  The Dean's Graduate Fellowship Program awards up to thirty outstanding applicants from academically underrepresented students who will contribute to the diversity of the graduate community within their disciplines in the UI Graduate College. U.S. citizenship required.
• Minority Health & Health Disparities International Research and Training
  The Minority Health & Health Disparities International Research and Training (MHIRT) program enables minority students to gain international research experience in a health-related area.
• Biostatistics Summer Initative
  The Biostatistics Summer Initiative provides biostatistical training and applied research opportunities for underrepresented minority students. Interested undergraduate junior or senior minority students with math or biological sciences backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
• CPH Diversity Committee
  The CPH diversity committee aims to promote and develop a culture of collaboration and inclusion in the College and University. The committee interprets diversity as embracing and respecting all races, nationalities, colors, creeds, religions, age, disabilities, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or associational preference. The committee works towards greater representation of those currently underrepresented in the College and in the public health workforce.