Diversity

Miami University's campuses consist of students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. Miami is committed to providing equal opportunities for education and fostering an environment where all who learn, live, and work in the community embrace this diversity and promote mutual respect and positive engagement, which are integral parts of Miami's focus, goals, and mission.

Working out of the Office of the President, the Associate Vice President for Institutional Diversity and the Office of Equity and Equity Opportunity are charged with supporting Miami University's Diversity Statement, Values Statement, and Mission Statement and ensuring that each and every member of the Miami community has an opportunity to be involved and included in every aspect of the campus experience.

The Office of Diversity Affairs (ODA), within the Division of Student Affairs, offers a welcoming environment and safe space and is responsible for the development and implementation of programs and activities designed to enhance the academic success, retention, and personal development of diverse student populations. ODA embodies a commitment to diversity/multiculturalism as expressed through ability, age, ethnicity, race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, and socioeconomic differences. First-year students of color are especially encouraged to join us for MADE@Miami in the days before the semester starts.

There are also a variety of student organizations, including fraternities and sororities, to support and serve the interests of students of color.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Services (GLBTQ Services), within the Division of Student Affairs, offers support, resources, a welcoming environment, and a safe space for students. This office also offers Safe Zone Trainings to the entire Miami community.

Spectrum is Miami’s undergraduate Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Intersex, Queer, Straight Alliance. Spectrum’s mission is to create a positive environment at Miami University for students of all sexualities and gender identities, and to promote issues of diversity on campus through weekly meetings and a variety of programs.

The Office of International Education provides international education services, programming activities and advocacy leadership in support of Miami’s international education goals. Resources specifically for newly admitted international students are also available.

The International Student Organization welcomes anyone with an interest in international and/or multicultural issues. The organization aims to increase understanding of international issues, offer dynamic and relevant international-themed programming and provide avenues for intercultural exchange at Miami University by collaborating with University offices, student organizations and individuals in an atmosphere of mutual respect and positive engagement. This is only one of many international student organizations.

The Women’s Center, within the Division of Student Affairs, is a welcoming, safe space that supports student success by providing resources and referrals, educational programming, outreach, and advocacy focused on issues impacting women.

The Association for Women Students is a student organization composed of individuals who desire to address important issues that specifically concern the women of Miami University through discussion, activism, and support. They work to heighten awareness about women's issues and to empower students of all genders.

As confirmation of Miami’s commitment to providing equal opportunities for students with disabilities, the Office of Disability Resources (ODR) provides support services, accommodations and resources to ensure equal access for students with documented physical, mental and psychological disabilities. Learning Disability Services, within the Bernard B. Rinella, Jr. Learning Center, supports students with documented learning disabilities (LD) and/or attention deficit hyperactivity disorders (ADHD) and provides services designed to ensure access to University programs and curriculum. Support staff work with faculty and other university and community resources to ensure that reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations are available and provided.

The Office of Student Financial Assistance and the Office of Equity & Equal Opportunity have resources for veterans on their websites.

The Student Veterans Association at Miami provides a network of support to military veterans, their families and civilian supporters; secondly, to work with the university administration to meet the needs of student veterans and prospective student veterans; thirdly, to cultivate student veterans’ concerns through scheduled meetings, advocacy, social and recreational activities; fourthly, to foster esprit de corps among student veterans and promote an understanding of student veterans issues. Finally, to provide a resource for new and prospective student veterans to ease the transition into student life through the knowledge and experience gained from those that have come before.

Miami University and the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma enjoy a trusted and respectful relationship that has developed over almost 40 years, and exists on many levels, institutional and official, academic, and interpersonal. Officially, the Vice President for Student Affairs serves as the liaison with the Miami Tribe and designates a Student Affairs staff member to coordinate the varied activities.

Miami University proudly carries the name of the Miami Nation whose traditional homelands included western Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and parts of southern Wisconsin and Michigan. It is a privilege to provide one path by which the Miami people rekindle their connection with the lands of their forefathers. This partnering of an American university and an American Indian tribe is very unique and often serves as a model for others to follow.

In 2001, The Myaamia Project was created at Miami University. Affiliated directly with the Cultural Resource Office of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, this project is devoted to language and cultural research and educational development for the tribal community. New educational materials are developed and several new publications have resulted. The expansion of the Myaamia Project staff, who are all members of the Miami Tribe, has allowed more opportunities for faculty to include projects connected to the Miami Tribe in their academic courses.

A variety of religious traditions are practiced by members of the Miami community. For a list of campus ministries, religious organizations, and places of worship in Oxford, see Campus Ministries and Area Churches. Additionally, there are several religious student organizations at Miami.

The Office of Diversity Affairs, GLBTQ Services, Women’s Center, Center for American and World Cultures and various student organizations are just some of the departments and organizations that host diverse programs and events throughout the year to promote mutual respect and positive engagement. Examples of these programs include the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemoration Program, Latin American and Caribbean Festival, Global Rhythms, National Pan-Hellenic Council Step Show, Women of Color Celebration, Diwali, Women’s Read-In, Racial Legacies & Learning, Kate Welling Disability Awareness Lecture Series, Lavender Graduation, Horizon Graduation, Pride Parade, Men of African Descent Dinner, Women of African Descent Dinner, NationaliTEA, Women’s Leadership Celebration and a variety of presentations from nationally and internationally recognized speakers.

Miami offers a variety of interdisciplinary programs of study and courses of study in many different languages, including Anthropology, Arabic, Black World Studies, Chinese, Classical Languages, Disability Studies, East Asian Studies, European Area Studies, French, German, International Studies, Italian, Japanese, Jewish Studies, Latin American, Latino/a, and Caribbean Studies, Lusophone Studies, Middle East and Islamic Studies, Russian, Russian, Eastern European & Eurasian Studies, Spanish and Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. For a comprehensive list of available programs, see Majors and Minors.