Many federal sponsors encourage or require plans for promoting participation and accessibility as an intrinsic element to advancing scientific excellence in the research plan. These plans are typically part of the merit review process and evaluators have high expectations that these plans be well reasoned and adequately resourced.
The plan guides below provide detailed information on sponsor requirements.
Plan Resources based on Federal Funders
UU Facilities & Resources Supporting Participation, Accessibility, and Safety
Below is a collection of accessibility and safety related resources at the University that may assist you in formulating a strong plan and/or finding partners in supporting your plan in your lab. Consider also reviewing your department and college statements on increasing participation. UHealth schools and colleges may also have an advisor to assist with increasing participation in federally funded research projects. Researchers in Health Sciences can reach out to UHEDI. Connecting your plan to campus resources helps provide substantive rationale and clear activities.
Librarian resources are also available:
Donna Baluchi, Assistant Librarian, Eccles Health Sciences Library
Lorelei Rutledge, Associate Librarian, Marriott Library
Division of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) encourages everyone to affirm and celebrate all our unique characteristics across multiple backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences. EDI centers and offices include the American Indian Resource Center, Black Cultural Center, Center for Equity & Student Belonging, Dream Center, and Health Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion. Programs and initiatives include the EDI Strategy Council, EDI Strategic Plan, HBCU Partnerships Program, New Leadership Academy, One U Thriving, and more. EDI maintains a blog and newsletter as well as organizes events such as MEDiversity Week, Martin Luther King, Jr. Week, Day of Disability and Neurodiversity, Native Excellence Gala, and Reframing the Conversation, among many others. EDI is led by inaugural Vice President Mary Ann Villarreal.
One U Thriving
https://diversity.utah.edu/initiatives/
One U Thriving is the platform by which the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion division communicates the vision of the University for equity, diversity and inclusion (and belonging). One U Thriving brings together four committees with oversight from a Steering Committee. These four committees include the Anti-Racism Committee, Racist and Bias Incident Response Team, Presidential Commission on the Status of Women, and Universal Design and Access Committee.
EDI Strategy Council (EDISC)
https://diversity.utah.edu/strategy-council/
The purpose of the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy Council (EDISC) is to bring together members from across campus to become the change agents who center equity at our institution. A successful transformation at this scale will require the complementary approach of a cohesive shared equity leadership vision with unique insights and efforts enacted at the unit levels. The EDISC will offer a mechanism to honor current equity strategies while helping them move forward, offer support and guidance to areas that need equity strategies, while bringing our decentralized campus into one organized effort. The EDISC will center and implement equity processes, practices, and behaviors in its member leadership who will further engage and ignite participation in their units. The council is comprised of a point of contact/lead person from each college, division unit, and organization. The charge of the ongoing steering councils is to lead in the development of an equity, diversity, and inclusion roadmap for units and colleges to use as a guide towards meeting equity, diversity, and inclusion goals. Four themes guide the work of the EDISC: ensuring belonging for all, fostering an inclusive climate, amplifying community engagement, and security health equity.
EDI Strategic Plan
https://diversity.utah.edu/strategic-plan/
The University of Utah’s Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategic Plan focuses on four strategic priorities: ensuring belonging for all, fostering an inclusive campus climate, amplifying community engagement, and securing health equity.
Presidential Commissions
Presidential Commission on Equity and Belonging
https://president.utah.edu/pceb/
The mission of the President’s Commission on Equity and Belonging (PCEB) is to join together members of leadership across the university to guide the U’s short-term approaches to address harm, bias-motivated violence, and hate on campus. The PCEB leadership affirms that all members of the U should have an equal opportunity to thrive, and that systems and behavior centered in inclusivity and equity are essential to ensuring our community has equal access and ability to contribute to the U’s mission. As a commission, the PCEB is dedicated to taking enhanced action that strengthens our community culture to ensure it is built on inclusion and belonging for our students, staff and faculty. Specific PCEB initiatives and their progress can be found here: https://president.utah.edu/pceb-initiatives/.
Presidential Commission on the Status of Women
The purpose of the commission is to provide leadership and expertise to the University of Utah community in promoting University women in their various roles and activities, and to serve as a forum for the exchange of ideas within the University. The establishment of the Presidential Commission on the Status of Women by President Arthur K. Smith in 1995 reflects the University of Utah's ongoing commitment to women faculty, staff, and students. The Commission is a culmination of the efforts of committees and task forces since 1969. The Marriott and Eccles Libraries house the reports for review by the University community.
Student Pathway and Pipeline Programs
ACCESS Scholars
https://science.utah.edu/access/
The College of Science ACCESS Scholars is a first-year community, research and scholarship program committed to advancing gender equity in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines. The ACCESS Scholars Program provides incoming students with a signature first-year experience that helps identify academic and career goals, builds social awareness, develops leadership skills, creates community, connects students to mentors and a network of over 800 program alumni, and yields a cohort of future leaders in science.
Día de los Muertos Latino Medical Student Association (LMSA) Pre-Med Conference
https://medicine.utah.edu/ohedi/undergrad-premed/day-of-dead-conf
Held annually on the campus of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine at the University of Utah, the Day of the Dead Pre-medical conference offers undergraduate students interested in pursuing a career in medicine a unique opportunity. Participants attend lectures presented by subject matter experts from the School of Medicine departments such as admissions, financial aid, and the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. Other highlights will include a question and answer session with a panel of current medical students, and break sessions with various University of Utah health science colleges.
Genomics Summer Research for Minorities (GSRM)
https://prod.pediatrics.medicine.utah.edu/pediatrics/research/education/gsrm
The Genomics Summer Research for Minorities (GSRM) internship provides a ten-week summer research program for undergraduate students interested in in biosciences or bioinformatics with a focus on genomics research, including ethical, legal and social implications (ELSI) of genomics research. The GSRM is funded by an NIH Research Education Program (R25) and supported by the University of Utah Department of Pediatrics. The paid internship provides students with placement in world-class genomics research groups, tailored mentorship, professional development workshops and access to state-of-the-art equipment and technology. Interns have the opportunity to interact with a thriving community of scientists, physicians and mentors that recognize the need to promote diversity in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) workforce.
Haumana 'O Pasifika Program
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/haumana-o-pasifika-program
The Haumana 'O Pasifika Program is designed to encourage and enable research and career development opportunities for Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders (NHPI) in order to train future members of Utah’s scientific & medical community. Selected applicants will be paired with scientific mentors and cultural mentors who are leaders in the field or community, respectively. The Haumana 'O Pasifika Program exists in two formats: a 10-week, research intensive summer program for undergraduate students and research graduate students, and a two-year training program for trainees interested in pursuing a graduate degree (PhD or MD/PhD) in a field related to diabetes, endocrinology, or metabolism.
HBCU IMPACT Program
https://diversity.utah.edu/hbcu-partnerships/impact/
Launched in 2020, the HBCU IMPACT Program is a partnership between the David Eccles School of Business at the University of Utah, Howard University, and other Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The IMPACT (Internships, Mentorship, Professional Development, Academic Achievement, Community Service, Talent Enrichment) Program was built to immerse diverse and talented undergraduate and graduate students from all over the country in the unique and exciting environment of Salt Lake City, Utah. Students are given opportunities to intern at premier companies, gain and provide mentorship, enhance professional development skills, work toward academic achievement, engage with the community, and reach new heights.
Health Sciences LEAP
https://leap.utah.edu/program-options/healthprofessions.php
Health Sciences LEAP is a pipeline program for students from underrepresented groups interested in a graduate program in healthcare. Freshman students will enroll in Health Professions LEAP for Fall and Spring and will then apply to be accepted into the program for their Sophomore, Junior, and Senior years. Eligible students include: marginalized communities in healthcare/medicine, first generation college students, LGBTQ+ students, Pell grant eligible students, and students from rural communities.
Intermountain PREP (IM-PREP) Post-Baccalaureate Research Education Program
https://medicine.utah.edu/pathology/microbiology-immunology/prep
The mission of the Intermountain PREP (IM-PREP) is to build a diverse biomedical research workforce reflecting the talent pool of our diverse population. IM-PREP will specifically address the leaks in the pipeline leading from undergraduate to doctoral training of groups underrepresented in STEM. IM-PREP focuses on students from diverse underrepresented backgrounds that demonstrate a strong drive for research and would benefit from additional research-intensive training experiences and professional development, enhancing their successful transition to top-tier doctoral programs, as well as their long-term retention in PhD-based career tracks.
Medical Admissions Preparatory Program (MAPP)
https://prod.medicine.utah.edu/ohedi/undergrad-premed/mcat-prep
The Medical Admissions Preparatory Program is designed to assist premedical students with the means to strengthen their ability and readiness to study medicine. MAPP is designed to support students who have experienced social, economic, or education disadvantage in their journey to medical education. The eight-week in person program is sponsored by the Office of Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (OHEDI) at the University of Utah School of Medicine. Students are afforded opportunities in research, patient exposure, volunteer opportunities, the Kaplan course and writing seminar. Students are competitively selected in the spring for summer admission and upon selection are expected to attend weekly meetings with the cohort and staff advisors.
Native American Summer Research Internship (NARI)
https://medicine.utah.edu/pediatrics/research/education/nari
The Native American Research Internship is a dynamic summer research opportunity for Native American undergraduate junior and senior students who are interested in Health Science research. The internship is located at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. It is a 10-week, paid summer internship, funded by the National Institutes of Health.
PathMaker Scholars
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/huntsman/education-training/pathmaker/scholars
The PathMaker Scholars Summer Research Program at Huntsman Cancer Institute seeks to increase the participation of underrepresented students in biomedical cancer research and to encourage students to prepare for careers in research, medicine, and education. The program sponsors students for a 10-week residential summer research experience, where they will live on campus, learn laboratory training techniques, and work on a project as indicated by a principal investigator in a university laboratory setting. Accepted students who successfully complete the program will automatically be accepted into the following year’s summer program without reapplying.
Pre-Matriculation Readiness for Ongoing Medical Student Success at the University of Utah (PROMIS2U)
https://medicine.utah.edu/programs/admissions/programs/promis2u
The mission of PROMIS2U is to prepare more physicians to enter primary care and serve in rural, tribal, and medically underserved areas in Utah. We recognize that physician shortages in primary care, in Utah and in the Intermountain West, are even more acute in medically underserved, rural and remote areas, and tribal/indigenous communities. PROMIS2U aims to provide academic support to future physicians from rural, tribal, and medically underserved backgrounds, who research shows are more likely to practice in high-need underserved communities, care for patients who identify as marginalized and practice primary care.
Research Experiences to Advance the Careers of HBCU Undergraduates at the University of Utah (REACH U2) in Health Disparities Research
https://our.utah.edu/research-opportunity/reachu2/
The purpose of REACH U2 is to provide undergraduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in North Carolina with an intensive ten-week summer research experience under the mentorship of a University of Utah faculty member, with the goal of preparing participants for enrolling in competitive graduate programs. REACH U2 offers opportunities to gain hands-on research experience in disciplines at the intersection of health disparities and biomedical research, including cancer research, public health, and bioinformatics.
REFUGES Program
https://www.csme.utah.edu/refuges/
Refugees Exploring the Foundations of UnderGraduate Education in Science (REFUGES) is an after school/summer program which collaborates with community organizations, schools, and parents to support underrepresented 7th-12th grade students with their education. Students who attend the program are provided valuable resources and support - such as one-on-one tutoring and mentoring, college and career readiness resources, financial aid workshops, hands-on STEAM curriculum, and field trips.
Rural & Underserved Utah Training Experience (RUUTE)
https://medicine.utah.edu/programs/ruute
The Rural & Underserved Utah Training Experience (RUUTE) has several opportunities housed within the RUUTE Program that align with the goals of the School of Medicine's Exceptional Learning Experience (ELE) that promote professionalism, community, and meaningful relationships for students, providers, and community members. RUUTE’s mission is to improve medical education and training, health care access and long-term socio-economic benefit for rural and underserved communities of Utah and the intermountain west by expanding interest, awareness, and placement of students and physicians. RUUTE achieves this through several programs, including K-12 outreach programs, undergraduate opportunities, and medical student opportunities.
Saturday Academy
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/inclusion/programs/saturday-academy
The mission of Saturday Academy is to develop and promote an inclusive campus environment and populate a strong applicant pool for admission into multiple health science fields for historically marginalized and underrepresented populations. Serving grades 4-12, Saturday Academy is a collaboration between all six entities on the University of Utah Health Sciences campus, which includes the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine, College of Nursing, School of Dentistry, College of Pharmacy, College of Health, and the Eccles Health Science Library. Saturday Academy provides a mentored pathway to higher education and specifically focused on education in the health sciences. Each month, Saturday Academy introduces students to various careers and fields of study in the health sciences through inclusive and interactive activities and lectures. Additionally, it gives students access to mentorship, access to the Health Sciences community, and information on various pathways to higher education.
Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/sacnas
SACNAS is an all-inclusive community dedicated to supporting diversity and inclusion in STEM fields and fostering the success of scientists from under-represented backgrounds, with a goal is to help members attain advanced degrees, careers, and positions of leadership in STEM. SACNAS aims to provide a holistic approach to STEM training by organizing opportunities for professional development, cultural programming, resilience training, and a pipeline of support and mentoring within a national network. The University of Utah’s SACNAS chapter is active and was recognized with a 2021 SACNAS Chapter of the Year Award.
Summer Health Care Experience (SHE) in Oncology
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/huntsman/education-training/high-school/she-program
The Summer Health Care Experience (SHE) in Oncology Program is sponsored by the American Cancer Society and seeks to increase the participation of women in biomedical fields, especially cancer research and medicine. The SHE program provides a two-week virtual experience for students going into their sophomore or junior year of high school who identify as female. The program includes a series of virtual workshops, panels, and hands-on research activities using a laboratory science kit, which will be sent directly to the participant’s home.
Utah Summer Training Academy for Rising Surgeons (USTARS)
https://medicine.utah.edu/surgery/edi/ustars
The SFESOM Department of Surgery hosts the Utah Summer Training Academy for Rising Surgeons (USTARS) program in collaboration with the Departments of Anesthesia, Otolaryngology, Neurosurgery, and Orthopedics for a robust 6-week summer program around professional identity development, surgical skills development, exposure to clinical care, and understanding of research principles. To be eligible to participate, students must demonstrate a commitment to increasing the number of and/or improving the educational experience of physicians and medical students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in medicine, as defined by the Association of American Medical Colleges as “those racial and ethnic populations that are underrepresented in the medical profession relative to their numbers in the general population.”
- Additional pathway programs may be found at the list maintained at https://medicine.utah.edu/programs/md/admissions/pathway.
- Additional Broader Impacts is available through STEMAP's at https://stemap.org/university-of-utah-resources/
See also:
Division Units/Centers
American Indian Resource Center (AIRC)
https://diversity.utah.edu/airc/
The mission of the American Indian Resource Center (AIRC) at the University of Utah is to facilitate the social, academic, and cultural engagement of American Indian and Alaska Native students, staff, trainees, and faculty through cultural affirmation, academic and professional development, and post-graduation preparation for undergraduate students. Additionally, the AIRC serves all tribal nations as the cultural conduit to both tribal communities and the University of Utah by affirming tribal sovereignty and self-determination.
Black Cultural Center (BCC)
https://diversity.utah.edu/bcc/
Using a Pan-African lens, the Black Cultural Center (BCC) seeks to holistically enrich, support, and advocate for faculty, staff, trainees, and students through Black-centered research, culturally affirming educational initiatives, and service. The Black Cultural Center will enact this mission through intentional programmatic learning outcomes, envisioned to build a sense of belonging and community at the U, with the goal of increasing the recruitment and retention of Black faculty, staff, and students. Through research, education, and service this center will promote and explore race/racism, social justice, cross disciplines, community connections, centering the Black voice, leadership, and the larger African diasporic community.
Center for Equity and Student Belonging (CESB)
https://diversity.utah.edu/cesb/
The Center for Equity and Student Belonging (CESB) creates community and advocates for academic success and belonging for students across intersectional identities and experiences among our African, African American, Black, Native, Indigenous, American Indian, Asian, Asian American, Latinx, Chicanx, Pacific Islander, Multiracial, LGBTQ+, Neurodiverse, and Disabled students of color. CESB’s early belonging initiative serves as the as the first stop for belonging at the University of Utah, builds community, and sets up students for success after college.
Dream Center
The Dream Center in Equity, Diversity, & Inclusion works holistically with undocumented students and mixed-status families from college access to graduation. The Dream Center (1) engages in specialized college outreach and access strategies, (2) provides individualized advising and scholarship support for current and future University of Utah undocumented students, (3) promotes campus-wide advocacy and trainings for University of Utah students, faculty, staff and administration, and (4) increases community-wide awareness of policies affecting current and future University of Utah undocumented students.
New Leadership Academy
https://diversity.utah.edu/nla/
The New Leadership Academy (NLA) is a unique nationally recognized leadership development philosophy and program that prepares leaders with the knowledge, tools, and courage to meet the complex challenges associated with equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education and beyond. The NLA Fellows Program has over 160 Fellows and alumni from over 80 different institutions and organizations; four university Presidents, Chancellors, or Provosts; 21 Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, or Vice Chancellors (including Assistant and Associate); 19 Deans, Associate and Assistant Deans; 44 Directors, Assistant and Associate Directors; and dozens of professors and others. In addition to its ongoing partnership with the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE), the NLA has developed and delivered its curriculum and complementary workshops to the American Council on Education, Wells Fargo, Huntsman Cancer Institute, Strada Education Network, Utah System of Higher Education, American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Millennium Leadership Institute and many others.
University of Utah Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (UHEDI)
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/inclusion
University of Utah Health Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (UHEDI) focuses on initiatives to support equity, diversity, and inclusion in health sciences and in support of health equity. Programs include Health Sciences LEAP, MEDiversity Week, and Women in Health, Medicine, & Science (WiHMS).
Student Affairs Units/Centers
Basic Needs Collective
The Basic Needs Collective is a coordinated resource referral hub. We educate and connect students to campus and community resources to help them meet their basic needs.
Center for Disability and Access
The Center for Disability & Access is the designated office of the University of Utah which evaluates disability documentation, determines eligibility, and implements reasonable accommodations for enrolled students. The Center for Disability & Access is dedicated to students with disabilities byproviding the opportunity for success and equal access at the University of Utah. We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations as outlined by Federal and State law. We also strive to create an inclusive, safe and respectful environment. By promoting awareness, knowledge and equity, we aspire to impact positive change within individuals and the campus community. The Center for Disability & Access Student Handbook is available here: https://disability.utah.edu/_resources/documents/CDA-Student-Handbook.pdf.
Center for Student Wellness
The mission of the Center for Student Wellness is to support student well-being and success through holistic and inclusive programs that center wellness, safety, and healing. We believe that wellness and safety is foundational for success and that equitable access to inclusive wellness services, education and support will create a more resilient, thriving University of Utah. We exist to promote campus wellbeing, provide support for victims and survivors of interpersonal violence, and engage the next generation in creating a more well, just and empowered campus community. We offer wellness education, trainings and workshops, victim-survivor advocacy services and support, STI/HIV testing for students, and student involvement opportunities.
LGBT Resource Center
The LGBT Resource Center (LGBT RC) at the University of Utah supports the success of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual/aromantic (LGBTQIA+) students as well as providing educational and cultural events for the entire campus. The LGBT RC was formally dedicated in April of 2002. The center was a result of a concerted student initiative that was supported by faculty and university administration, which resulted in the establishment of an office on campus permanently located within the Student Union.
Student Parent Support Center
The University of Utah Student Parent Support Center offers services to assist University students, faculty, and staff in their search for quality child care services.
University Counseling Center
https://counselingcenter.utah.edu/about/index.php
The purpose of the University Counseling Center (UCC) is to facilitate and support the educational mission of the University of Utah. We provide developmental, preventive, and therapeutic services and programs that promote the intellectual, emotional, cultural, and social development of University of Utah students. We consistently strive to integrate multiculturalism into the everyday functioning and structure of our agency, including the individual, service, training, organizational, and administrative levels. We advocate a philosophy of acceptance, compassion, and support for those we serve, as well as for each other. We aspire to respect cultural, individual and role differences as we continually work toward creating a safe and affirming climate for individuals of all ages, cultures, ethnicities, genders, gender identities, languages, mental and physical abilities, national origins, races, religions, sexual orientations, sizes and socioeconomic statuses.
Veterans Support Center
https://veteranscenter.utah.edu/
The Veterans Support Center serves our veterans, military connected members, and their families. We are committed to establishing a supportive environment and welcoming campus culture. We enhance the educational experience of military affiliated students to remove barriers and maximize the academic, psychosocial, and career potentials that results in unconditional success in the classroom and beyond.
Women’s Resource Center
https://womenscenter.utah.edu/
The Women's Resource Center (WRC) at the University of Utah was founded in 1971 by a group of visionary women faculty, staff and graduate students. During the 1970's and 80's the Center was at the forefront of many changes on and off campus. The Center played a role statewide and nationally helping to found: The Consortium for Utah Women in Higher Education; The Utah Math Science Network; The National Women's Studies Association; HERS/WEST, a professional development and networking organization for women in the Rocky Mountain West. Today, the WRC continues its tradition of leadership on women's issues. We are engaged in social justice work to help end racism, sexism, homophobia and all other biases that may lead to violence, intimidation and threat on our campus. We work extensively to support student victim-survivors of interpersonal violence. Our mission is to support student well-being and success through programs, counseling, training, and scholarships.
Professional Development Programs and Resources
Utah Health Equity Leadership & Mentoring (U-HELM)
https://medicine.utah.edu/dfpm/research/training-mentoring/u-helm
Launched at the University of Utah School of Medicine in 2018, U-HELM provides mentoring and leadership development opportunities to junior faculty members and postdoctoral scholars from underrepresented populations in the health sciences or involved in health equity research and practice. A new cohort of approximately 14 U-HELM fellows is selected annually through an application process. U-HELM fellows move through a yearlong curriculum of monthly seminars and networking events that focus on traditional academic career development as well as topics related to cultural identity and challenges of systemic racism. In addition, fellows are matched with a senior-level faculty mentor to address issues of leadership and cultural identity. U-HELM mentors are trained in cultural diversity with methods proven to enhance mentoring effectiveness. U-HELM is designed to supplement, not replace, research or academic discipline mentoring relationships.
Women in Health, Medicine, & Science (WiHMS)
https://uofuhealth.utah.edu/inclusion/wihms
The mission of Women in Health, Medicine, and Science (WiHMS) is to advocate for women faculty at all stages of their career. WiHMS’ strategies include fostering career advancement and faculty development through AAMC Early and Mid-Career Women awards and other career development awards within the University of Utah Health campus; providing a monthly event on the topics that are critical for women in healthcare professions; and closely collaborating with women advocates from the University of Utah’s main campus to advance the gender equity agenda.
Community Engagement and Inclusive Research Resources
Community-Based Research Guidelines for Communities and Higher Education
https://bennioncenter.org/crc-guidelines-2021.pdf
This document was developed by a community-campus collective, and it can be cited as: Community Research Collaborative. (2021). In it together: Community-
based research guidelines for communities and higher education. Salt Lake City, UT: University of Utah. It contains principles and practices for inclusive and equitable research in partnership with communities.
Community Collaboration & Engagement Team (CCET)
https://ctsi.utah.edu/cores-and-services/ccet
The Community Collaboration and Engagement Team (CCET) is part of the Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI). The CCET’s mission is to support researchers, individuals, institutions, agencies, patients, providers, and other stakeholders in fruitfully collaborating on research projects that address researchers’ interests and communities’ health needs. The CCET facilitates researcher and community member collaborations that develop community-engaged research methods, instruments, and educational materials for research projects. Services available include conducting interviews and community dialogues. Upon request, CCET services can be held in rural or community preferred locations, and in languages other than English.
Community Engagement Certificate
https://bennioncenter.org/certificate/index.php
The Bennion Center Community Engagement Certificate offers a deeply engaged learning experience that is purpose-driven and action-oriented to address complex social and environmental challenges. Students are empowered to make a meaningful difference by understanding community assets as well as complex causes and consequences of social problems, recognizing and pursuing opportunities for change, working collaboratively, and taking thoughtful action. The Community Engagement Certificate requires the completion of 21 credit hours, and is open to all undergraduates and all majors at the U of U. There are no specific admission requirements.
Community Research Collaborative (CRC)
https://communityresearchcollaborative.org/
The mission of the Community Research Collaborative (CRC) is to advance critical, action-oriented research for social justice. Established by an interdisciplinary group of university researchers and community leaders representing diverse racial, cultural, and linguistic communities, the CRC seeks to forge stronger relationships between academics and community-based practitioners, support community engaged scholars across their careers, and leverage the resources of higher education in support of local community organizing. The CRC has developed key resources to enhance community-based research, including the publication of In It Together: Community-Based Research Guidelines for Communities and Higher Education; the development of an undergraduate course (Community-Based Research) and an online course (Principles and Practices of Community-Based Research)—with additional workshops being planned, including for community partners; the development of the Community-Based Research Grants program in partnership with the Office of the Vice President for Research; and the establishment of the West Side Community Review Board to advise on and review research done in the west side Salt Lake County neighborhoods.
Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Office of Community Outreach and Engagement
https://healthcare.utah.edu/huntsmancancerinstitute/about-us/community-outreach
The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement aligns with the mission, vision, and principles of Huntsman Cancer Institute. Our team includes faculty and staff who collaborate with clinicians, researchers, students, and community partners to address the burden of cancer in the Mountain West. Health equity is at the forefront of all we do. Our work is made possible by ongoing collaboration and communication between Huntsman Cancer Institute and community partners. One of the core activities of Community Outreach and Engagement is to monitor the cancer burden, risk factors, incidence, mortality, morbidity, and inequities in the Mountain West using a data-driven approach.
Lowell Bennion Community Service Center (Bennion Center)
The mission of the Bennion Center is to inspire and mobilize people to strengthen communities through learning, scholarship, and advocacy. The Bennion Center facilitates students’ engagement with communities through a variety of co-curricular and curricular programs such as Saturday Service Projects and Alternative Breaks as well as through supporting the integration of community engaged learning into the curriculum through Community-Engaged Learning (CEL) designated courses.
Office of Research Education
https://education.research.utah.edu/
The Office of Research Education (REd) offers workshops, classes, and certificates—many of which advance EDI in research. For example, the Research Mentoring Certificate’s curriculum was developed using an integrated lens of equity, diversity, and inclusion. Several specific courses offered by REd include Cultural Competency, Diversity and Equity in Research Participation; Increase Equity and Diversity in Research with the Use of Research Trained Interpreters; Increase Equity and Diversity in Research by Using Translated Documents and Recruitment Materials; and What Role Does Health Literacy Play on Research Recruitment and Retention? REd also offers a course in Principles and Practices of Community-Based Research (CBR).
University Neighborhood Partners (UNP)
University Neighborhood Partners brings together University and west side people and resources in reciprocal learning, action and benefit — a community coming together. UNP builds university-community partnerships focused on resident-identified issues and opportunities. We do not run programs led by staff. Rather, we are a convener, bringing partners to the table to share ideas, identify common goals, and create their own initiatives. We are proactive in bringing to that table voices that have historically been unheard in the decision-making that affects these communities. Our work is to support those partnerships by encouraging active communication, relationship building, resource sharing, and capacity building.
Working with Native Communities Graduate Certificate
https://ecs.utah.edu/grad_certificate_wrk_native_comm.php
The Working with Native Communities Certificate program—offered through the Department of Education, Culture and Society (College of Education)—will prepare graduate level learners of diverse backgrounds and academic studies for professional work with Native communities by deepening their understanding about the historical context and contemporary challenges facing Native peoples in the United States. Through the Certificate, learners will take away essential and critical concepts to prepare them to do important and much needed work with Native communities both locally and nationally. One of the Certificate program's main objectives is to assist students in developing an understanding of the complex inner workings of Native nations, histories, status as political sovereigns, efforts in education, and tribal governments to prepare students for professional work in a variety of fields. The many misconceptions stemming from the unique relationship with the United States and Native communities/peoples will be addressed. Learners enrolled in the Certificate program are expected to work with Native governments, organizations, businesses, health services, and/or other stakeholders to promote the social, political, economic, and environmental well-being of Native nations.
Other Resources Across the University
Feed U Pantry
https://union.utah.edu/resources-spaces/feed-u-pantry/hours-about-us/
The University of Utah food pantry aims to minimize hunger among our students, their families, and faculty and staff by providing free, accessible, and nutritious food. We strive to empower those in need to obtain food resources so they may focus on being healthy, happy, and successful at the University of Utah without the barrier of fighting hunger. The Feed U Pantry is open to all University of Utah students, faculty, and staff with a current University of Utah ID. Since opening in October 2014, the volunteer-powered Feed U Food Pantry has impacted over 1,000 University of Utah members and their families.
Graduate School Diversity Office
https://diversity.gradschool.utah.edu/
The Graduate School Diversity Office serves as a campus resource for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We offer outreach and consultation services for graduate students, faculty, and staff at the University of Utah. We want graduate students to feel respected, confident in their educational goals, and able to achieve their highest potential. By focusing on inclusiveness for students from underrepresented communities, particularly racial and ethnic, we can create a better academic environment for all. The office produces resource guides for graduate students as well as for faculty and staff to raise awareness of resources available to support diverse graduate students.
Inclusive Style Guide
https://brand.utah.edu/communications/inclusive-style-guide/
The University of Utah celebrates the rich diversity of our staff, students, trainees, and faculty, by striving to make our campus a welcoming, inclusive, and anti-racist environment. University Marketing & Communications, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, and U of U Health Marketing & Communications have collaborated with experts across the U campus to create this Inclusive Style Guide, modeled after many other resources. The guide was created to support the university community to create content that uses language and images that are respectful to people of all cultures, backgrounds, identities, and experiences.
Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX
The Office of Equal Opportunity And Affirmative Action (OEO/AA) is a professional resource dedicated to the University of Utah’s commitment to provide a fair and equitable environment for individuals to pursue their academic and professional endeavors and to equally access University programs. In order to further this commitment, the OEO/AA is responsible for ensuring University practices and nondiscrimination policies are in full compliance with all federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws, and provide processes to fairly and effectively resolve complaints, provide reasonable accommodations, and to make appropriate corrections.
SafeU
SafeU is a comprehensive website for all safety-related information, reporting, and support resources, training, and more at the University of Utah.
