Diversity at the Oregon MPH

The OMPH Program is committed to fostering an environment conducive to the recruitment, training, and success of diverse faculty and students and to providing pluralistic education to sustain a multicultural community of public health practitioners.
 

 

Strategic Planning

The OMPH Program Diversity Committee meets to specifically develop program policies, objectives, and goals for the recruitment of diversity to the OMPH Program. The Diversity Committee provides advisory support, guidance, and recommendations to the OMPH Program on matters related to the recruitment and retention of diversity among faculty, staff, and students. The Diversity Committee takes an active role in advancing a diversity agenda and developing requisite policies and procedures related to diversity for the OMPH Program.
 
The Diversity Strategic Plan for the OMPH Program focuses on both diversity recruitment and retention of faculty and requires the input from various leaders in the three collaborative universities. The Oregon MPH is working on additional program targets related to retention of diversity. The Oregon MPH program targets for diversity are defined as action items/recommended guidelines that, if implemented, would yield an outcome of a diverse candidate pool. These guidelines have been formalized into the OMPH Program policy as measurable objectives for diversity recruitment.  These program targets are as follows:
  • Revising and/or update job descriptions to ensure that “fostering and commitment to diversity” is prominent in job duties and measureable goals;
  • Writing directly to colleagues to request nominations of ethnic minority candidates;
  • Targeting national and local minority organizations, colleges, and universities to announce the position;
  • Contacting local and statewide field-specific associations to secure a list of ethnic minority members; and
  • Sending job announcements to minority social organizations, newsletters, and magazines.

     


Faculty and Staff Diversity

Taking into consideration the lack of racial and ethnic diversity in the Pacific Northwest as well as the disproportionately small number of minorities in healthcare and public health, the Oregon MPH has developed a strategic goal to not only seek to recruit faculty of color but also to broaden the definition of diversity to include pluralistic thinking. Therefore, if a potential faculty member demonstrates the skills, desire, and experience in working with diverse populations and the ability to provide a pluralistic and open framework in their educational practice, then this faculty member will be seen as providing diversity to the faculty.

Faculty members are hired by one of the three Oregon MPH collaborative institutions, therefore search efforts are headed by the home institution. The OMPH Diversity Committee, itself made up of diverse faculty members from each of these institutions, are members of the searches for faculty within their respective departments, as is the Program Director. In addition, faculty search committees require diversity training and education from their local AA/EEO office.


Student Diversity

Each of our university partners includes diversity as major strategic value and goal.  Given the different organizational specialties of these three partners, you see diversity initiatives addressed in varying ways as well.  The following are selected comments from each of the university presidents, sharing their views on diversity and how this value is converted into action on their campus.  Each university also has a range of services and trainings to support faculty, employees, and students in promoting and enhancing a diverse community.  

At PSU: 
"One of the most important contributions that colleges and universities make to the communities that surround them is to contribute to the vitality of our increasingly diverse society. Here at Portland State, we serve this mission in everything we do.

First, diversity is central to the educational experience at Portland State. We are proud to have the most diverse student body of any university in Oregon and know, because our students tell us, that the diversity in our classrooms enriches their educational experience. We are committed, too, to building the diversity of our faculty and staff.  Our faculty and staff offer experiences both inside and outside of the classroom that give our students the knowledge and skills they need to serve a diverse society. The diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and points of view represented within our campus community enlivens and deepens classroom discussions and creates a campus climate where everyone feels welcome.

Diversity is also central to research at Portland State. As an urban research university, we have a strong commitment to research that contributes solutions to the challenges faced by the communities around us. Our research on sustainability, for instance, includes a focus on maintaining sustainable urban communities. As the diversity of our local population grows, so does the intellectual vitality of our urban environment. Portland State is committed to research that will advance the knowledge and understanding that our local communities will need as our region grows and changes.

Diversity, of course, is also central to community-based learning and civic engagement at Portland State. Our students, faculty, and administrators work with over four hundred community partners on projects that promote equality and social justice, support our cultural institutions, enrich the arts in our region, and offer assistance to schools, employers, and community groups. Our students graduate with a strong commitment to the ethic of community engagement and activism, and we are proud of the leadership they contribute in Oregon and beyond."  

…………Wim Wiewel, President, Portland State University

At OHSU: 
"Because diversity fosters innovation and builds an intellectually vibrant environment where diverse teams promote creativity and new ways to fulfill OHSU’s mission of healing, teaching, discovery and community service. Because diversity is crucial to our business model and helps us recruit and retain top faculty and employees. It gives us a competitive edge. Increased diversity in the healthcare workforce will improve access to care and enhance the overall quality of health and well-being of all Oregonians.


At OHSU, we go beyond respecting and valuing diversity: we aspire to sustain a culture of diversity.   Diversity is central to our core values. One of the six goals of our strategic plan, Vision 2020, is “to be a great organization, diverse in people and ideas.”

The Diversity Advisory Council advises the President and the Executive Leadership Team on enhancing diversity, multiculturalism and equal opportunity for all aspects of the university’s mission. As a campus-wide group, the this Council supports diversity initiatives across the university—everything from helping units understand the business case for diversity to providing practical resources for employees, students, and community members."  

…………..Joe Robertson, M.D., M.B.A., OHSU President

AT OSU:
"Whether you are returning to campus after an absence, attending part time or are new to the university experience, we are proud to have you as a member of our OSU community.  Our goal is to create an environment that offers the support and resources to help you succeed academically. 
Along with academic success, we strive to create a healthy environment by promoting health life balance goals.  We believe that people are more productive and successful when all aspects of their lives are recognized and respected.  We work to create a family-friendly environment where school life can be balanced with personal life.  When we all work together to create a healthy and balanced community at OSU, we will benefit by creating a great place to learn and work.


One of our strategic goals is to support a diverse and welcoming environment for all.  People are at their best when celebrated and supported by an engaged community.  The diversity and breadth of our students have always been strengths of Oregon State.  Our community also becomes more vibrant when people are empowered to contribute.  We take this responsibility seriously and ask that you join with us in creating the best learning and living experience for you and everyone at OSU.  Together we can achieve great things."  

……….Edward J. Ray, President, Oregon State University



Accomplishments

During the 2006-2007 academic year the Diversity Committee led by Siobhan Maty (Chair) worked with the W. K. Kellogg foundation to bring two consultants to present a seminar and assess the OMPH Programs readiness to engage in activities to eliminate racial and ethnic health disparities. Through this work, barriers to accomplishing these activities were identified: funding, relationship building, structural changes within each of the collaborative three universities, and recruitment and retention.  

 

OMPH Program Office 506 SW Mill St., Suite 670B Portland, OR 97201 Mail Code: OMPH-SCH Tel. 503-725-5106 Fax 503-725-5100