Free 5K Fun Run and Walk on UA Campus Saturday

The networking and health awareness event is open to the Tucson community.

Jennifer Stanley wanted to facilitate diversity networking, leadership development and service between all students, University of Arizona campus clubs and its Multicultural Affairs and Student Resource Centers.

With the help of the UA Cultural Centers, she worked to create the Diversity in Action Club, which is now a recognized UA student organization.

On Saturday, the club is hosting a free 5K run to be held on the UA Mall. The run is co-sponsored by the Tucson Indian Center, and Tucson and campus community are invited to participate in the free event.

"Jennifer's goal is to bring diverse groups of people together to promote health awareness. Getting people moving is something we work on at the Tucson Indian Center and helping to get students involved and our community involved with the run was a good fit," said Teri Glasses, Tucson Indian Center diabetes prevention educator.

The Tucson Indian Center provides social and wellness services to the Tucson American Indian community and also works collaboratively with community organizations in Tucson and on campus.

"One of my goals for the club was to create awareness of resources in Tucson for incoming freshmen but to also create collaboration between cultural centers and sororities and fraternities. Health activities, service and leadership development seemed like the best way to bring diverse people together," Stanley said.

Stanley is a NASA Space Grant Undergraduate Research Intern, a senior majoring in agriculture technology management and a member of the Navajo nation.

She actively participates in programs offered through the UA Native American Student Affairs office and believes more students should get involved.

The centers, she said, help increase retention rates and build a more diverse campus. Students from the African American Student Affairs, the Asian Pacific American Student Affairs, the Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs and the Native American Student Affairs offices are participating in the event to raise awareness for the services offered at the UA cultural centers.

"We want freshmen, sophomores and any other interested students to become aware of the four cultural centers on campus and for them to take advantage of the resources and services that are available," said Stanley.

She is promoting the 5K run/walk, she said, because of the growing health disparities among minorities.

"Minorities are faced with increasing rates of diabetes, cancer and heart disease. Exercise is a tool to help fight these diseases. This event will hopefully serve as a cross-cultural community builder and an avenue to increase awareness of health disparities as well as the benefits of exercise for everyone," Stanley said.

This is the second year the Multicultural Classic 5K Fun Run & Walk is being held on the UA campus. Thanks to the Tucson Indian Center, the run is free and includes free T-shirts and snacks for participants.