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 various interprofessional programs to improve the knowledge and cultural awareness of our students, faculty, and students. 

Bearcats Buddies 

CAHS students participate in a University-wide program, Bearcat Buddies, a service opportunity where they are paired with a Cincinnati Public Schools student to help them succeed academically. 

Service Learning

Service-learning is an approach to education that helps students learn your course material while producing work of real value for a nonprofit organization that serves the community. CAHS students can make a difference in the greater Cincinnati region by participating in this impactful program. 

International Service

The College of Allied Health Sciences offers students several opportunities to serve and learn abroad. Some of the international partnerships include:  

  1. Palace Foundation - Mexico
  2. Viva Nicaragua Abroad - Costa Rica
  3. Copenhagen, Denmark
  4. Bela-Bela, South Africa 

We are excited to introduce a new version of our mentorship program called CAHS Connects, which will launch in the spring semester of 2024.

The goal of CAHS Connects will be to develop a directory of professionals within the allied health disciplines that can be utilized for student outreach. Directory participants will be available to the students as a professional resource to answer questions, provide general guidance about the profession, and, where possible, provide shadowing opportunities. Students will drive engagement, whether it is a one-time communication or a recurring mentorship. 

There will be 1-2 college-hosted events per semester for interested students to engage with our professional partners. These events will allow students to network and seek guidance in a fun and relaxed environment.  

The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee is made up of a 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.

The University of Cincinnati has a multitude of student organizations that serve to foster cultural awareness and belonging. 

Below are a few organizations housed within the College of Allied Health Sciences. 

The purpose of MC2 is to provide a forum in which students can: engage in meaningful intercultural dialogue; enhance leadership and commitment to social justice; and discuss and address multi-cultural issues that affect individuals in the area of Communication Sciences and Disorders. MC2 will also serve as an avenue for mentoring. This will include: faculty/staff to student mentoring, alumni to student mentoring and peer mentoring for students.

The University of Cincinnati Association of Black Social Workers stands to unify the black student body by empowering our community as a whole. The organization emphasizes the capability of positive changed and the promotion of social justice.

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 In The News

2

UC’s growing resources for first-generation students

November 7, 2023

Nearly one in five UC students are considered first-generation college students — meaning they and their siblings are the first in their family to attend a four-year institution of higher learning. UC is attracting a growing number of first-gen students; their numbers jumped by 8% this fall on campus.

Query for this
Headshot of Larisa Marie Franklin Wright

Larisa Marie Franklin Wright

Asst Director, CAHS Business Office

309E HSB

513-558-3717