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University of Montevallo

Undergraduate School

Mailing Address
Reynolds Hall
Station 6030
Montevallo, Alabama 35115
Phone
(205) 665-6030
School Information
"In October of 1896, the Alabama Girls’ Industrial School opened its doors to some 150 young women from all parts of the state. They had come to participate in a great experiment, in an innovation in education for Alabama. They had come to be trained as teachers, bookkeepers, artists, musicians, dressmakers, telegraphers and milliners. In other words, at last, there was a school in Alabama whose purpose was to educate women to be self-supporting; at last, here was an opportunity to escape from the drudgery of field work, mill work, or from the ignominy of depending on a father or brother for lifelong support if there was no husband. At last, here was an opportunity for young women to expand their minds and dreams in a state, poverty-stricken by economic circumstances, that could provide little public education for its citizens. In 1911 AGIS became Alabama Girls’ Technical Institute. The phrase “and College for Women” was added in 1919. In 1923, the school became Alabama College, State College for Women, a degree-granting institution. Two men enrolled in January of 1956, and with 33 more arriving by September, a new era had begun for the school. In 1969, in order to reflect this changing atmosphere, the school changed its name to University of Montevallo, and its four distinct colleges (Arts and Sciences, Education, Business, and Fine Arts) were established" (https://www.montevallo.edu/about-um/history/). The student to faculty ratio is 14 to 1 and there are 70 degree programs offered. The undergraduate enrollment is over 2,000.
General Information
The University of Montevallo has recently been shifting towards incorporating diversity dialogue in its curriculum. The school appointed a new chief diversity and inclusion officer who set in place structural changes in order to reflect the university's goals of incorporating equity and inclusion in its framework. This also includes the use of workshops, programs, and mentorship. No mandatory Critical Race Training sessions are yet required of students. However, see developments below:

Actions Taken

Anti-Racism, Bias, and Diversity Training
  • Dr. Samuels facilitated a diversity workshop alongside other school officials. The diversity workshop covered the span of two days and was designated for educators and administrators. This was followed by an additional three day workshop for the same purposes.
Curriculum Changes and Requirements
  • Dr. Samuels was appointed as the chief diversity and inclusion officer for 2020-2022, and his goal is to institute "a strong foundation for his work advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in academic programs at the University."
Resources
  • As part of the UM Diversity and Inclusion initiative, the school created M.A.D.E. which is a program that offers seminars and mentorship to minority students.
Symbolic Actions
  • In June 2021, the university chef diversity and inclusion officer released a statement on the school's diversity initiatives. Dr. Gregory Samuels stated, "My goals center around having a campus that strengthens, advances and sustains increased diversity, equity and inclusion and actively promotes social justice."
  • In response to George Floyd's death, the university president released a statement saying, "The University of Montevallo has a lengthy and proud history of acceptance, inclusion and unity and we actively work every day to dismantle the barriers of inequality in our community and across the nation."
Last updated July 26th, 2022
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