Diversity Highlights
National Leader
25+ prestigious awards and recognitions for our commitment to diversity and inclusion
As a 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity recipient from Insight Into Diversity
magazine, OSU is one of 8 schools in the nation, and the only institution in Oklahoma
to receive this nationally renowned honor for eight years straight.
88%increase
in faculty of color in OSU classrooms since Fall 2010
70+diversity and inclusion
organizations and resources
Over a decade of continued growth and achievement
OSU is committed to developing and graduating our Underrepresented, Underserved, Minority (UUM) student body. The OSU Strategic Plan for Assessment and Student Success is woven into Institutional Diversity's transformational effort.
Enrollment and graduation trendsthrough 2019
117%
increase
in freshmen undergraduate students of color*
107%
increase
in undergraduate students of color*
30%
total incoming
first-year undergraduate students of color of fall 2018
228%
increase
in number of first generation students of color*
18%
increase
in graduate students of color*
111%
increase
number of students of color earning a Bachelor's degree**
43%
increase
number of students of color earning a Master's degree**
40%
increase
number of students of color earning a doctoral degree**
* from fall 2009 to fall 2018
** from May 2010 to May 2018
Curriculum and Campus Environment
Broadening Horizons
Since 2008, OSU undergraduates have been required to enroll in a diversity designated
course. In Fall 2019, there were approximately 100 diversity courses and 121 sections
offered, according to the Office of the Registrar.
Structural Support
The Division of Institutional Diversity capital campaign has raised $6.4M since February
2014 and created fifty new endowed scholarships.
The veterans success center, inclusive excellence wall and the Center for Soverign Nations, opened in 2015, demonstrating OSU's commitment to diversity.
Awards and rankings
Programs and Activities
OSU is a nationally ranked research university — in the classroom and on the field.
- Over 70 diversity related student, faculty and staff organizations
- Retention initiative for student excellence program (RISE)
- Inclusion leadership program (ILP)
- Four U.S. Department of Education TRiO Programs
- Oklahoma Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (OK-LSAMP) Program
- NSF Bridge to the Doctorate Program
- Office of Multicultural Affairs Mentoring and Retention Program
- First 2 Go (first generation student program)
- OSU hosted the 38th Annual Big 12 Conference of Black Student Leadership and Government in 2015
- Critical Conversations diversity program series (e.g., Ferguson and Race in America, Voting Rights, Confederate Flag, Islamaphobia, The N-Word, etc.)
- National Veterans Entrepreneurship Program
- OSU Diversity Hall of Fame
- Recent campus and graduation speakers: Common, Dr. Tererei Trent, Condoleeza Rice, Chickasaw Nation Governor Bill Anoatubby, Piyush Patel, Jamele Hill, Stedman Graham, Dr. Bennet Omalu, Cornell William Brooks, Daymond John, Raye J Montague, John W Franklin and Dr. Carol Anderson
Awards
As a land-grant institution, we believe access to education is an essential part of our mission.
- 2022 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity recipient from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine
- 2021 & 2022 Inspiring Programs in STEM Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine
- 2020 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award recipient and a 2020 Diversity Champion
- 2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity recipient from INSIGHT Into Diversity Magazine
- 2017-2019 Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Champion (One of eight four-year schools in the nation to have received the HEED Award eight consecutive years)
- 2019 NCAA Inclusion Award- Honorable Mention
- 2018 APLU- Distinguished Service Award
- 2018 Society for Diversity
- 2017 APLU- McGrath
- 2017 American Association for Access, Equity, and Diversity (AAAED) Roosevelt Thomas Champion of Diversity Award
- 2017 National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education (NADOHE) Dr. Frank W. Hale, Jr. Distinguished Service Award
- Purple Heart University designation in 2016
- 2016 & 2017 Minority Access, Inc. Institution Committed to Diversity Award
- 2016 NADHOE Institutional Excellence Award
- 2016 Southwest Minority Supplier Development Council (SMSDC) Corporation of the Year Award
- 11 OSU Morris K. Udall Scholarship recipients since 2009
- 2016 & 2017 Mosaic Five-Star Inclusive Workplace Culture Award from the Tulsa Chamber of Commerce’s diversity business council
- Among Military Times magazine’s 2019 Top 100 ‘best colleges’ rankings for our efforts to support and facilitate veteran and military student success.
- 300 Arthur Ashe Jr. Sports Scholars since 2000
Rankings and Designations
We invest in the well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and community.
- #1 in the nation among public land-grant colleges and universities for graduating Native American students since 2010
- U.S. Department of Education Minority Serving Institution (MSI) designation
- Top 100 degree producers for African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latinx and biracial/multiracial graduates (2014-2019)
- Diverse Issue in Higher Education Top 100 Degree Producers for African American, American Indian, Asian American, Latino, and biracial/multiracial graduates (2014 - 2017)
- ASEE CEAT Designation
- NADOHE Board of Directors (2018 - 2021)