Faculty and staff from across campus gathered in the Magnolia Ballroom at the University of Georgia Center for Continuing Education & Hotel on Sept. 30 for the university’s fall 2024 Multicultural Faculty and Staff Reception.
The event offered an opportunity for faculty, staff and administrators to get to know one another and celebrate the start of the academic year. Attendees were greeted by Alton Standifer, vice provost for inclusive excellence and chief of staff to the provost, and UGA President Jere W. Morehead.
Alton Standifer welcomes attendees to the 2024 Multicultural Faculty and Staff Reception.
“This event is one that is meant to bring together the diverse community of scholars, practitioners and administrators who are the University of Georgia,” Standifer said.
Morehead mentioned several institutional initiatives that helped build one of the university’s most diverse incoming classes, including the ALL Georgia Program and the Georgia Possible Program. He also referenced the Peach State LSMAP program, a coalition of six public colleges and universities in Georgia aiming to significantly increase the number of underrepresented students statewide who complete undergraduate and advanced degrees.
UGA President Jere W. Morehead speaks at the annual Multicultural Faculty and Staff Reception. (Photo by Andrew Davis Tucker/UGA)
“All of these initiatives have not only created a more welcoming environment on our campus, but they’ve also helped us retain the students we bring to this campus,” Morehead said. “I focus on students at this event because all of you here are critically important for us to continue to create a welcoming atmosphere for them. They wouldn’t succeed here without the commitment each and every one of you has to having an inclusive and welcoming campus community.”
