Skip to content

Union University

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
1050 Union University Drive
Jackson, Tennessee 38305
Phone
(800) 338-6466
Email address
admissions@uu.edu
School Information
"Union University is an academic community, affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, equipping persons to think Christianly and serve faithfully in ways consistent with its core values of being excellence-driven, Christ-centered, people-focused, and future-directed. These values shape its identity as an institution which prioritizes liberal arts based undergraduate education enhanced by professional and graduate programs. The academic community is composed of quality faculty, staff, and students working together in a caring, grace-filled environment conducive to the development of character, servant leadership, and cultural engagement" (Source: http://www.uu.edu/about/what-we-believe.cfm). Union University was founded in 1823 and offers over 100 programs of study. The school has 3,071 students and a student to faculty ratio of 10 to 1.
General Information
Union has crafted a strategic plan for racial reconciliation. As part of this plan, diversity training will be given to faculty and staff. Students in the School of Education are required to take two courses on diversity in the classroom. See developments below:

Actions Taken

Admissions Policies
  • On September 20, 2016, Union announced that a strategic plan was formed for “establishing an ongoing advisory council for the initiative, establishing a campus location for the Center for Reconciliation and for the Minority Student Resource Center, increasing the ethnic diversity of the student body, increasing the ethnic diversity of the faculty and staff, providing support for faculty and staff to enhance intercultural competence and racial reconciliation efforts, and supporting and expanding culturally diverse learning opportunities.” This "racial reconciliation" effort was done in collaboration with Land College after a grant from the Wabash Center for Teaching and Learning in Theology and Religion.
Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • The university formed a strategic plan, known as the Great Commandment Collaborative on Racial Reconciliation, which is supported by the Center for Racial Reconciliation, the Center for Intercultural Engagement, and the Center for Just and Caring Communities. One goal of this plan is to "provide ongoing Diversity Training for Faculty/Staff Development to improve Intercultural Competency and enhance Racial Reconciliation efforts."
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • The university states that, "Union’s conceptual framework provides an understanding of the process that students must utilize to integrate the knowledge, skills, and dispositions necessary for a commitment to diversity. Sensitivity, reflection, and faith form a paradigm which reflects the Union School of Education’s commitment to learning for all students."
  • The university formed a strategic plan, known as the Great Commandment Collaborative on Racial Reconciliation, which is supported by the Center for Racial Reconciliation, the Center for Intercultural Engagement, and the Center for Just and Caring Communities. One goal of this plan is to "include/expand core curriculum and other curriculum opportunities/courses for students to engage in culturally diverse learning with diverse populations."
  • All candidates within the School of Education pursuing a major in Teaching and Learning and Interdisciplinary Studies with Discipline Specific Honors must complete both EDU 305 Planning for Student Achievement in Diverse Classrooms and EDU 331 Literacy in Diverse Classrooms.
Program and Research Funding
  • The school has a Leadership Academy within the School of Adult & Professional Studies. This program seeks to “advance diversity and inclusion” as participants earn a certificate.
Resources
  • On September 14, 2023, George Yancey was invited to Union University to speak within the Jones Lecture Series for a talk on “Christianity and racism.”
Symbolic Actions
  • On June 15, 2020, Union held an event titled, "Walk for Justice: Remembering the Lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and Ahmaud Arbery."
Last updated May 22nd, 2024
©2024 Critical Race Training in Education. All rights reserved.