DATE: October 29, 2008

CONTACT: Leon Wiles, 864-656-4238
leonw@clemson.edu

WRITER: Angela Nixon, 864-656-0382
anixon@clemson.edu

Clemson recognized for its commitment to diversity

CLEMSON — Minority Access Inc., a national nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting diversity and access to public and private institutions of higher education, has recognized Clemson University for its commitment to diversity.

Clemson was one of 39 colleges and universities honored at the National Role Models Conference last month in Arlington, Va.

Clemson was recognized for its success in several high-profile diversity programs, including Call Me MISTER, One Clemson, Women in Science and Engineering (WISE), Programs for Educational Enrichment and Retention (PEER), Emerging Scholars, disability services, international affairs and the Charles H. Houston Center for the Study of the Black Experience in Education, said Leon Wiles, Clemson’s chief diversity officer.

“This recognition reaffirms Clemson’s commitment to diversity and projects to the world community Clemson’s inclusive character,” said Wiles. “Clemson is going to great lengths to prepare students to succeed as global citizens.”

“It is fitting for Minority Access to recognize and publicize the advances colleges and universities are marking toward diversifying their campuses, especially their student population,” said Andrea Mickle, president of Minority Access Inc. “We are pleased that our research data supplied by the office of educational statistics at the U.S. Department of Education has resulted in Minority Access’ recognizing colleges and universities that genuinely seem to appreciate the value of diversity in creating a well-rounded educational experience.”

Located in Hyattsville, Md., Minority Access was incorporated in 1995 with the mission of assisting colleges and universities, federal agencies and corporations to diversify their campuses and worksites. For more information, visit www.minorityaccess.org.