Diversity

The University of Iowa has a proud tradition of celebrating diversity.

University of Iowa Firsts

• The first public university in the country to admit women and men on an equal basis (1855)
• The first public U.S. university to grant a law degree to a woman (Mary B. Hickey Wilkinson, 1873), to grant a law degree to an African American (G. Alexander Clark, 1879), and to put an African American on a varsity athletic squad (Frank Kinney Holbrook, 1895)
• Home to the nation's first female college newspaper editor (1907)
• First university with a program to rehabilitate children with disabilities
• First tax-supported college to establish a school of religion
• First Big Ten institution to promote an African American to an administrative vice president’s position (Dr. Philip Hubbard, promoted in 1966)
• The first state-university to officially recognize the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender, and Allied Union (1970)
• Iowa became the first public university in the country to offer insurance benefits to employees' domestic partners (1993)

Minority Enrollment, Fall 2007

Today, 9.3% of our 30,409 students are African American, Hispanic, Asian, or Native American, and 6.5% are international students representing 110 countries.

Minority enrollment comprises 9.3% of the total enrollment:

• African American 2.4%
• Asian 3.8%
• Latino(a) 2.7%
• Native American .5%

Diversity Initiatives

Center for Diversity and Enrichment

The Center for Diversity and Enrichment brings together under one umbrella a variety of programs, offices and services that work to create a welcoming climate for students, staff and faculty from communities underrepresented in higher education. More...

Multicultural Studies and Leadership Learning Community

The Multicultural Studies and Leadership Learning Community is one of a network of Learning Community housing options available to undergraduate students. It provides opportunity for students to learn about different American cultural groups, and develop leadership skills by blending theory and practice. More...

Office of Graduate Ethnic Inclusion

The Office of Graduate Ethnic Inclusion is working to build a sustainable practice of inclusion to attract and keep top underrepresented graduate scholars campus wide. The office seeks to build community and involve faculty in recruiting and mentoring efforts. More...