The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement (formally the Office of Community & Minority Health Education; originally and formally the Office of Minority Affairs) was established in 1981 in response to community and legislative concern for minority health care in Louisiana and minority representation in medical education. In 1981, Louisiana State University developed a strategic plan that included enrollment goals for its medical school.
The Office of Diversity and Community Engagement's ability to reach these goals was aided by several factors including: 1) the establishment of scholarship funded for minority students; 2) the commitment to support a director of Diversity/Minority Affairs who is a minority physician, a faculty member, a voting member on both the Admissions and Promotions Committees; and 3) the continued support and integral involvement of the medical school administration.
ODCE, once under the direction of retired Dr. Edward Helm, and now under the leadership of Dr. Robert T. Maupin, currently has a full staff and continues to offer recruitment and retention services to minority and disadvantaged students in Louisiana. Over the past years, ODCE has attracted over $5 million federal grants and awards.