Resources for African American Students
The University of Iowa has been described by The Multicultural Student's Guide to Colleges as one of the most progressive universities for minorities in the Midwest.
Support networks
- Afro American Cultural Center—The center was established in 1968 to create a space for black students from different cultural backgrounds to adjust to University life. It continues to provide space for special student events, socializing, and studying.
- Iowa Black Alumni Association—This group promotes career, educational, and social opportunities for prospective, current, and former UI black students.
- Student Organizations—here are more than 400 student groups at Iowa, each formed around a common interest or activity ranging from politics to swing dance. Groups of interest may include the Black Student Union, Multicultural Business Student Association, National Society of Black Engineers, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Minority Student Nurse Association, and Voices of Soul.
- African American Fraternities & Sororities—On-campus fraternities include Alpha Phi Alpha, Omega Psi Phi, Kappa Alpha Psi, and Phi Beta Sigma. On-campus sororities include Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sigma Gamma Rho, Delta Sigma Theta, and Zeta Phi Beta.
Education and advocacy
- UI African American Council—This group promotes awareness of African American concerns and contributions to the University.
- Office of Equal Opportunity & Diversity—This office supports and enhances the University's commitment to recruiting and retaining a diverse community of faculty, staff, and students.
- Office of Cultural Affairs & Diversity Initiatives, Roy J. and Lucille A. Carver College of Medicine, 228 CMAB, medicine-diversity@uiowa.edu or 319-384-2952.
- Office of Graduate Ethnic Inclusion—This office in the Graduate College aims to build a sustainable practice of inclusion to attract and keep top underrepresented scholars in UI graduate programs. This office also supports underrepresented students interested in pursuing graduate study at Iowa.
- Alliance for Graduate Education & the Professoriate—This organization's goal is to significantly increase the number of PhDs awarded to underrepresented U.S. minority students in engineering and the mathematical, physical, and life sciences.
- Ethnic Inclusion Effort for Iowa Engineering—The goal of this UI College of Engineering program is to increase underrepresented minorities in engineering and to promote a welcoming and inclusive environment for minorities at Iowa.
- The Office of Cultural Affairs & Diversity Initiatives
Community resources
- African American Hair Care Providers
- Check the Iowa City area phone book for additional businesses with an emphasis in caring for African American hair.
- Big J's
329 E. College St.
Iowa City
319-354-4305 - Expectations Beauty Salon
2217 Muscatine Ave.
Iowa City
319-337-9361 - La James International College and Day Spa
227 E. Market St.
Iowa City
319-337-2109 - Regis Salon
Old Capitol Mall
201 S. Clinton St.
Iowa City
319-338-3555 - Textures
420 First Ave.
Coralville
319-351-8398 - The Look
Eastdale Mall
1700 S. First Ave.
Iowa City
319-337-6777
Links or references on this page to outside services or products do not constitute an endorsement of any kind. These links are provided for informational purposes only. If you have a business local to the Iowa City area that you feel would be appropriate on this page, please contact the Webmaster about the addition.
- Big J's
Biosciences Program
The University of Iowa
353 Medical Research Center
Iowa City, IA 52242-1181
Phone: 1-800-551-6787 or 319-335-8305
Text: 319-535-5211
Fax: 319-335-7656
E-mail: biosciences@uiowa.edu
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