A real commitment to diversity

Diversity a mission-based value

At the core of the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy is a real commitment to diversity. The School is charged in its mission statement to educate "diverse and talented students." To that end, the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy actively seeks students with varied cultural, educational, and professional backgrounds.

Another element of the School's diversity is the internationally diverse student body. Students come from all parts of the United States as well as from Latin America, Europe, Asia, and Africa. They bring a wide range of experiences, interests, and areas of competence.

Students at the School are at various stages in their lives. Many students enroll in our graduate programs directly after receiving their undergraduate degrees. However, numerous students return for a graduate degree after several years in the working world. Students of all ages and backgrounds bring their past experiences and make rich contributions to the diverse student population.

The School is also home to diverse academic disciplines, representing the fact that our students pursued a variety of undergraduate majors including the social sciences, natural sciences, as well as the arts and humanities.

SUAPP Diversity Committee

The School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy Diversity Committee seeks through advocacy and education, to ensure an environment in which it is expected that all members will respect and appreciate individual and cultural differences and expressions within a framework of courtesy and sensitivity. Discussions and other activities are planned. Contact any of the committee memebers below with suggestions, feedback or for information or assistance.

Current representatives are:
Raheemah Jabbar-Bey, chair, faculty representative
Ed Freel, faculty representative
Jonathan Justice, faculty representative
Stephanie McClellan, faculty representative
Lisa Moreland , staff representative
And three student representatives are sought!

Diversity Weekend

Annually held in November, the School hosts Diversity Weekend, a visitation program aimed at bringing motivated and academically qualified students to campus to explore the graduate programs at the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy. Diversity Weekend promotes diversity by selecting prospective graduate students to visit the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy based on the following circumstances:

Challenging social, economic, educational, cultural or other life circumstances
Academic achievements
First-generation graduate student status
Financial need as determined by federal income guidelines (FAFSA)

If you would like to be added to the mailing list for Diversity Weekend information, please contact Christina Johnston, Graduate Admissions Coordinator and Assistant to the Director.

A leader in diversity

Since its inception in the 1960s, the School has been a leader in minority recruitment, admissions, retention, and graduation rates. In fact, the School of Urban Affairs and Public Policy was recently recognized on campus with the Louis L. Redding Diversity Award for our exceptional record in promoting diversity.

It was no accident that the School was selected to be the home of the Louis L. Redding Chair for the Study of Law and Public Policy. This endowed chair position is named in honor of Louis L. Redding who successfully argued the case that desegregated the University of Delaware in 1950 and who worked alongside Thurgood Marshall in the 1954 Supreme Court case, Brown vs. the Board of Education.

Professor Leland Ware is the first Redding Professor for the Study of Law and Public Policy. Professor Ware promotes the use of the law to achieve social justice for all Americans. He regularly makes presentations to community members on issues such as fair housing law, racial profiling, and minority voting rights.

School of Urban Affairs & Public Policy
184 Graham Hall | University of Delaware | Newark, DE 19716
phone 302 831 1687 | e-mail suapp@udel.edu | fax 302 831 3296