Office of Diversity

The Office of Diversity for the College of Dental Medicine was founded in the fall of 1996. The primary purpose of this office is to increase the number of underrepresented minority applicants, enrolled students, and retention in the College of Dental Medicine. 

Programs are implemented to encourage students to pursue a career in the field of dentistry.

Staff

Gwendolyn B. Brown, RPh, D.M.D.
Director of Diversity
browngb@musc.edu

Pearl Givens, BS, MA
Student Services Program Coordinator
givensp@musc.edu

Address

Medical University of South Carolina
College of Dental Medicine, Office of Diversity
173 Ashley Avenue, BSB 123
MSC 507
Charleston, SC 29425
Telephone: 843-792-4425 or 843-792-6874
Fax: 843-792-6525

Resources

Outreach Programs

E.E. Just Symposium
The Office of Diversity plays a large role with the EE Just Symposium. The Symposium provides a forum that encourages minority students to pursue careers in biomedical sciences and health professions. Every year, minority students interested in dental medicine attend the Symposium and spend the afternoon learning more about MUSC and the College of Dental Medicine, including an informational session on the admissions process and a tour of the dental school. The Symposium is held in February. 

Annual Dental Day
The Dental Day program is an annual fall event that exposes undergraduate pre-health advisors and their students to the College of Dental Medicine and dentistry as a career. Advisors and students spend a day on campus meeting faculty, students and staff while learning about admissions, financial aid and dental specialties. Register for Dental Day.

Campus Visits
Representatives from the Office of Diversity participate in numerous campus visits throughout the year to speak to students about the College of Dental Medicine. While an emphasis is based on visiting the HBCU’s we strive to reach all of the students in South Carolina.

Pre-Dental Academy (AHEC Summer Academy)
The goal of this Academy is to increase the acceptance, retention and graduation rates of under-represented minority and disadvantaged students within the Medical University of South Carolina dental training program. The College of Dental Medicine has collaborated with the College of Nursing, College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy and South Carolina AHEC for this one-week program. Forty undergraduate students are chosen to participate after a stringent application process (ten Dental Academy Fellows are selected) Academy Fellows takes part in a week of clinical and didactic sessions on the campus of the Medical University of South Carolina. Fellows present project presentations to MUSC Faculty at the end of the week. Fellows receive a small stipend upon completion of the program.

High School Visits
This program introduces South Carolina students in High School to dentistry as a career option. We meet with students, advisors, and attend career fairs.