Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

CAHS students in the atrium

The College of Allied Health Sciences (CAHS) is working to create a more diverse, inclusive and culturally competent health care workforce for the betterment of our community alongside the other colleges in the Academic Health Center.

The University of Cincinnati's over arching strategic plan "Next Lives Here" establishes the mission that forms the framework for Equity & Inclusion for the Academic Health Center colleges (comprised of the Colleges of Medicine, Pharmacy, Nursing, and Allied Health Sciences). CAHS operational principles are expressed in the following goals:

  • The University of Cincinnati will work in collaboration with community stakeholders to develop a health workforce that increases access to health care and the opportunity for optimal health for all in the local urban community.
  • The University of Cincinnati will produce students who are culturally competent to ensure the local health care workforce have the background, qualities, and skills to serve community needs and decrease health disparities in the local urban community.
  • The University of Cincinnati will increase the educational opportunity for talented and diverse students to be recruited in order to graduate a health care workforce that reflects the diversity of the population in the local urban community.
Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine

The College of Allied Health Sciences is the recipient of the Health Professions Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine, the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. A total of 61 health colleges were recipients of the award for 2023 and CAHS is one of the only allied health sciences colleges to make the list. 

The College of Allied Health Sciences works closely with UC's Office of Equity and Inclusion and Ethnic Programs and Services to ensure we meet college and institutional commitments to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Equity and Inclusion Programs

The College of Allied Health Sciences partners with the other Academic Health Center colleges in carrying out a variety of interprofessional programs to improve the knowledge and cultural awareness of our students, faculty and students. 

CAHS students particpate in Bearcat Buddies, a service opportunity where they are paired with a Cincinnati Public Schools' student to help them achieve academic success 

Connections is a mentoring program that pairs students with CAHS alumni, community professionals and graduate students working in an aligned allied health field, to help develop relationships that make an impact.The program primarily serves the following populations of students:

  • Underrepresented minority
  • First-Generation
  • Lower socioeconomic
  • Limited access to higher education
  • Summer bridge participants
  • Self-identify or are identified by faculty for mentoring

Learn more about Connections

The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council’s is made up of group of individuals representing faculty, staff, students, alumni and community stakeholders who are champions for issues of equity, diversity and inclusion. The group meets two to three times per semester and works towards establishing a culture that recognizes and lives by the value that everyone in the college (and those associated with the college) are welcomed, supported and respected.

There are several college and program scholarships available to under-represented students. Learn more about scholarships

UC has several student organizations that serve a variety of cultural/ethnic groups.

Funded by the College of Allied Health Sciences and Choose Ohio First programs

This seven week residential summer bridge is established to increase the number of underrepresented ethnic students who graduate and enter the STEM disciplines. This program brings cohorts of students together from the colleges of Allied Health Sciences, Arts & Sciences, Engineering & Applied Science to foster early preparation, and support for academic success in college to professional entry.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Recent News

Query for this
Headshot of Larisa Marie Franklin Wright

Larisa Marie Franklin Wright

Asst Director, CAHS Business Office

309E HSB

513-558-3717