In Fall 2022, University of Phoenix supported the annual Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA) conference as one of its presenting sponsors. The event, entitled “Brave Conversations: Turn Stumbling Blocks into Stepping Stones,” took place on October 12-14 and marked the 21st consecutive DLA conference.
The virtual conference featured keynote sessions, workshops and fireside chats that explained how to turn stumbling blocks into pathways toward diversity and equity, whether in the workplace or the wider community.
University of Phoenix’s Diversity Commitment
Sponsoring the DLA conference aligns with University of Phoenix’s dedication to serving a diverse student body of working adults who have different needs and offering these students flexible, adaptable degree programs that they can fit around their other commitments.
The University prides itself on shaping a diverse, equitable, inclusive and belonging (DEIB) educational environment. Its faculty members work to meet the specific needs of students who need additional support and to improve students’ access to and participation in higher education. They improve this access to education by:
- Hosting thought-provoking discussions on DEIB themes in the Educational Equity Webinar series. Recent titles in this series include “Are You Culturally Intelligent?” and “Creating a Supportive Network While Understanding the Diversity Within Indigenous Communities.”
- Launching important events like the Inclusive Leadership Summit and Career Fair, which saw over 1,400 participants from 22 countries engage in networking opportunities and receive advice on inclusive leadership last year. The next Summit and Fair will take place on May 2-4, 2023.
- Collaborating on initiatives with Employee Resource Groups (ERGS), which bring together students who have shared interests and experiences
- Engaging with the community to involve the outside world in students’ learning
- Reviewing curriculums to ensure all content and phrasing is inclusive
University of Phoenix’s Provost and Chief Academic Officer John Woods, PhD, explains that the University makes efforts to ensure students from underrepresented communities can access important educational events and resources.
Collaborating with the DLA is just one of the ways in which the University demonstrates its commitment to nurturing an equitable, inclusive learning environment.
University of Phoenix and the Diversity Leadership Alliance (DLA)
The DLA gives a voice to marginalized groups, opening a forum for constructive conversations and hosting professional development workshops that help quash racism.
The Alliance works with business and community alliances to underline the value of diversity as a pillar of a successful business model. In doing so, the DLA highlights the notion that employers and organization leaders who understand and prioritize diversity and inclusion can attract and retain high-level talent and enjoy a competitive edge in the wider employment marketplace.
Together, University of Phoenix and the DLA help the University’s students who come from marginalized backgrounds feel seen, heard and valued. The University and the DLA share the same tenets, making them an ideal team to strengthen underserved communities’ sense of belonging in an educational space.
“[We] celebrate the innovative ways [University of Phoenix] invests in DEI in the community, and we are honored to be one of their chosen alliances,” said the DLA’s Executive Director Joanna de’Shay.
A Top Social Mobility Performer
As a result of its DEIB efforts, University of Phoenix features in the 2022 U.S. News and World Report Best Colleges rankings as a Top Performer. The U.S. News and World Report assesses 439 universities and other educational institutions’ Pell Grant student graduation rates and graduation rate performances to identify these performers.
University of Phoenix supports Pell Grant students who come from underrepresented communities by:
- Allowing students to fit their studies around their jobs, family commitments and other needs
- Paying attention to its working adults’ needs and identifying solutions to fulfill these
- Organizing the President’s Advisory Council on DEIB, which fosters an inclusive community and encourages diversity of thought, culture and experience
- Lacing DEIB values throughout all disciplines and operations
- Creating accessibility resources and overseeing initiatives that encourage inclusive practices (through the Office of Educational Equity)
Learn more about University of Phoenix’s diversity efforts.
About University of Phoenix
University of Phoenix is committed to developing the educational goals of adult and nontraditional learners and to guiding students as they navigate the career options and degree programs that they are interested in. These degree programs feature skills-mapped courses that align with numerous in-demand career paths including in business, nursing and cybersecurity. Students also benefit from flexible start dates, online classes and numerous scholarship opportunities which the University offers so that anyone can earn the degree they desire. Plus, University of Phoenix’s Career Services for Life® commitment, which serves active students and graduates, provides the resources needed to be prepared when entering the workforce for no additional charge. These handy resources include resume and interview support, career guidance, and education and networking opportunities. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.
