By Dede Bearden
Public Relations
Virginia Regan, a physician assistant studies student in the College of Health Professions (CHP), loves her new, free iPad.

She received it as the first place winner of the inaugural CHP's essay contest on the importance of diversity in health care. In her essay titled, "Crayola Colors: Diversity as Art in Health Care," Regan compared the personality traits and life experiences of people to colors found in a box of crayons.

Virginia Regan, right, and Lauren Wengerd help kick off CHP's strategic plan to advance diversity on campus.

"I love to write about topics that I am passionate about, that motivate me, that inspire me," Regan said. She was determined to show that diversity is deeper and more transcendent than what most people think. "Few people actually know what diversity is. Diversity involves everything on top of ethnicity and race, including experiences, opportunities, hometowns and cultural and religious beliefs."

The essay contest kicked off the college's strategic plan to advance diversity and cultural sensitivity on campus. The first and second place winners were announced at the college's Student Government Association meeting Oct. 5.

Essays were judged on criteria including creativity, quality of writing and passion. While Regan received an iPad, the second place winner, Lauren Wengerd, a CHP occupational therapy student, received a Barnes and Noble Nook Reader.

CHP has nine academic programs and 674 students. Karen A. Wager, DBA, professor and associate dean for student affairs at the college said that the student response to the essay contest was overwhelming.
Twenty-three papers were submitted, and a selection committee of three faculty members chose the first and second place winners. An essay contest was chosen as a starting point for the diversity effort because students could actively get involved.

"It encouraged them to reflect and share the value they place on the topic," said Wager.

Wager is thrilled to have the diversity initiative under way. "Knowing how to serve people with different values, health benefits and alternative perspectives about health and wellness is critical to providing high quality, patient-centered care."

The essay contest and future tactics will create an environment of inclusion and respect on campus. To further the college's strategic plan, Wager said that students will mentor minority high-school students and participate in high-school career days. The college also will host a health advisors conference and enhance cultural competency training for students.

Regan likes the plans. She thinks these outside-of-the-classroom tactics will be essential for student growth.
"I think that educational training is crucial for the fundamentals of cultural awareness, but the most culture you can learn is outside the confines of a brick building."

To read the first and second place essays, visit http://tinyurl.com/3nwpxxk.