PHILADELPHIA — May 8, 2018 — Temple University’s Klein College of Media and Communication has been selected as the 2018 recipient of the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication Equity & Diversity Award, honoring the college’s commitment to inclusion.
 
In announcing the prestigious award, AEJMC recognized Temple’s and Klein College’s dedication to diversity. “Public service, social activism and community engagement are at the center of Temple University's mission,” the organization said in a statement. “Equity and inclusion constitute the heartbeat of this effort that takes an active approach toward instilling and sustaining diversity in all aspects of Klein's everyday life.”
 
The college was recognized for diversity among its faculty, where nearly a third of the population is comprised of people of color. The student body, which boasts excellent rates of employment and retention, is 40 percent people of color.
 
“I’m enormously proud of our efforts and of our results,” said Dean David Boardman. “The numbers are just part of the story; these are fundamental values that are reflected in our curriculum and our culture.”
 
This year, the school launched an initiative designed to increase Latinx populations at the school as well as the group’s influence there. The college has also recently partnered with Asian American Journalists’ Association in hosting J-Camp, a workshop for high school journalists.
 
Diversity also plays a significant role in Klein College’s coursework and student life. Professors demonstrate their commitment to equity by incorporating readings and contributions by scholars from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that students engage with material by female, African American, gay and lesbian and transgendered writers. One capstone course, Philadelphia Neighborhoods, requires students to cover underserved parts of the city that receive less attention from traditional outlets. Students have also recently launched the university’s first Spanish language programming on TUTV, Temple University’s television station.
  
About AEJMC and The AEJMC Equity & Diversity Award
AEJMC is a nonprofit association made up of journalism and mass communication educators, students and media professionals. It promotes high standards for journalism and mass communication education, communication research and multicultural society in the classroom and curriculum. It also works to defend and maintain freedom of communication to improve professional practice and create a better informed public. The AEJMC Equity & Diversity Award awards academic programs that are working toward, and have maintained measurable success in, increasing equity and diversity within their units. Programs must display progress and innovation in racial, gender, and ethnic equality and diversity over the previous three-year period. The Klein College of Media and Communication is the 10th recipient of this award.
 
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Media Contact:
 
Shannon McLaughlin Rooney
Director of Communications
Klein College of Media and Communication
 
[click-for-email] | 215-307-7728