Campus News
May 2, 2011
Google invests in diversity at Emory
Photo by Marc Cordon
Google has invested $20,000 in Emory's Office of Multicultural Programs and Services (OMPS). The company's unrestricted "diversity grant" will enable OMPS to offer its Crossroads community-building program to more students.
"The Google diversity grant to the Office of Multicultural Programs and Services confirms the value of Emory's approach to multicultural inclusion and diversity work in campus life," says OMPS Director Donna Wong. "We are excited and thankful for Google's recognition and generous contribution."
OMPS will use the grant to support Crossroads, a program that helps first-year Emory students recognize and appreciate cultural differences. Created in 2004, Crossroads offers community-building retreats before freshman orientation in August and during fall break in October. The Google funding will enable OMPS to add two additional retreats and partner with Oxford College.
This is the second consecutive year that Google has awarded a $20,000 grant to OMPS. The office used the previous gift to purchase technology for evening programs and furnish its new office space in the Dobbs University Center.
"Although new, the relationship between Google and Emory is growing and showing promise. We are happy to support Emory and their work to increase diversity programs on the University's campus," says Yolanda Mangolini, director of Global Diversity Talent & Inclusion and Talent & Outreach Programs for Google.
In the past two years, Google has provided professional opportunities for under-represented Emory students through the company's Diversity Internship Program and its BOLD Immersion Program for Freshmen. Seven Emory students have been chosen to participate in those programs so far.
Minorities constituted 40.5 percent of Emory undergraduates and 30.9 percent of graduate students in 2008, according to a comprehensive diversity profile recently released by the Office of the Provost. Of those, 31.6 percent were international students. In Emory College of Arts and Sciences alone, international students were from 89 countries.
In addition to Crossroads, OMPS offers a mentoring program, discussion groups, diversity workshops, heritage celebrations, awards, multicultural learning resources, and a student theater troupe to raise awareness and stimulate dialogue about race and difference.
OMPS prepares Emory students for global citizenship and works to retain minority students by supporting their successful transition into campus life.
Google's grant to OMPS is part of Campaign Emory, a $1.6 billion fundraising endeavor that combines private support and Emory's people, places and programs to make a powerful contribution to the world.
