Chick-fil-A Funds Minority Recruitment at Augusta University
In a press release from February 22, 2022, an announcement states Chick-fil-A funds minority recruitment efforts at Augusta University. The fast food chain is donating $100,000 to the minority recruitment initiatives at the university.
Funds for Two Initiatives
The funds will support two minority-driven initiatives at Augusta University. Half of the donation supports minority scholarships for medical students at the Medical College of Georgia. The other half will encourage enrollment of more Black males for the College of Education.
Dr. Russell T. Keen is the executive vice president for administration and chief of staff for the president at Augusta University. Keen says, “We are very excited about this new partnership with Chick-fil-A. In conjunction with our mission, vision and values, Augusta University is working to create more career pathways for students, particularly underrepresented students who live in Georgia, that better reflect and serve our state demographics. We are grateful for this endorsement by Chick-fil-A.”
Need for Diversity in Medicine
The need for a diverse medical school class and physician workforce is essential to meeting the health care needs of the state and nation. Studies have shown students from underrepresented groups are more likely to practice medicine in underserved areas. With these diversity scholarships, it will help the Medical College of Georgia, the state’s only public medical school, to attract qualified students from a variety of backgrounds. Overall, the goal is to improve health care outcomes for Georgia’s diverse population.
Diversity Needs in Education
Another focus at Augusta University is their College of Education. They are working to improve teacher diversity. Research has shown cultural familiarity helps educators to support student learning and growth. It also helps disrupt bias, discrimination and prejudice. The current teacher workforce does not match the diversity of students in our state or across the nation. America’s teachers are primarily white and female. And students throughout America’s public school are mostly minority. Only about 2 percent of teachers are Black males.
Augusta University is looking to attract more Black male teachers through their recruitment programs and scholarship support. They have collaborated with historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to create social, emotional and cultural support for current teacher candidates. AU has also partnered with media to highlight the need for more Black male educators.
Chick-fil-A’s Support for Minorities
The vice president of corporate social responsibility for Chick-fil-A, Inc., Rodney Bullard, highlights the need for education to unlock brighter futures, and the company feels supporting minority recruitment efforts at AU will help empower students of color.
Bullard says, “Chick-fil-A maintains a long-standing commitment to education throughout the communities we serve, and it is our pleasure to provide opportunities for these students who will become the leaders of tomorrow.”
The support from Chick-fil-A is a great thing for Augusta University, with these funds helping with minority recruitment.
Augusta as a whole has done well in supporting minority initiatives, and made the top 10 cities with the most Black-owned businesses, too.
