The Black Advisory Council helps design the Arizona experience so that 100 percent of our students have the opportunity to integrate and apply their knowledge through real-world experiential learning. Our strategic emphasis is on equipping juniors and seniors with real-world experiences that foster career empowerment, cultural competency, and creative collaboration skills for a world of difference. Within this area, council members focus on the national educational crisis in recruiting, retaining and graduating Black male students.
We are committed to serving as a communications conduit between Southern Arizona’s Black communities and the UA. We also value and welcome your input. Please email your questions, suggestions, or comments.
Jennifer Hatcher, RN, PhD
Interim Associate Vice President, Diversity & Inclusion
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
jhatcher@arizona.edu
Meetings
The Advisory Council members are alumni, educators, retirees, and community members who are interested in helping the university achieve its goal of embracing our diversity as a strategic source of strength. The Advisory Council meetings are open to community members. If you are a community member who is interested in joining or attending the Black Advisory Council meetings, please contact the Office of Diversity & Inclusion at inclusion@arizona.edu for more information.
Initiatives for 2023/2024
- Serve as a resource to help the UA increase the number of African American faculty and administrators.
- Plan for the African American Advisory Council’s Annual UA Fall Welcome Event.
- Partner with African American Student Affairs to create a community mentoring program for students.
- Engage in future fundraising in support of student programming.
Upcoming Events
UA Fall Welcome Event temporarily postponed
The annual Fall Welcome Event connects faculty, staff, and students with community members.
Accomplishments
The Advisory Council also focuses on a number of additional activities each year that yield significant results. These include:
- The Council created the UA Fall Welcome Event. The annual event connects faculty, staff, and students with community members who recognize that a sense of belonging to the local community aids in the retention of UA students and employees. This event attracts more than 300 students and community members each year and is fully funded and sponsored by the African American Advisory Council.
- Council members have helped increase the number of African-American students enrolled at the UA through activities such as contacting students who have been accepted to the UA, but not yet enrolled. Council members also write personal notes to participants of the UA’s African American Family College Planning Day, encouraging young students to consider college as part of their future.