# Plan to Enhance Diversity

> **NIH NIH P30** · MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA · 2024 · $129,368

## Abstract

PLAN TO ENHANCE DIVERSITY (PED): SUMMARY
A diverse and inclusive workforce is critical for cancer centers to promote equity and eliminate cancer
disparities. Unfortunately, certain populations, including women and some racial/ethnic groups, continue to be
underrepresented in cancer research and care. The mission of the Hollings Cancer Center (HCC) Plan to
Enhance Diversity (PED) is to build a workforce that reflects the diversity of our nation and is equipped to serve
the state of South Carolina (SC). At HCC, the Office of Programs to Enhance Diversity (OPED) is led by
Nicholas Shungu, MD, MPH (CC), Associate Director for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Shungu is a
primary care clinician, cancer disparities researcher, and advocate for health equity with DEI leadership
experience at the Medical University of South Carolina College of Medicine. Shungu chairs the HCC DEI
Committee (DEIC), which develops and oversees HCC programs to recruit and retain a diverse workforce.
OPED will maintain the infrastructure of pathway programs to support the advancement of underrepresented in
the scientific workforce (URSW) populations into cancer research and care positions. Starting with robust
partnerships with local high schools and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in SC, the
pathways span from engaging high school learners to preparing mid-career faculty for leadership positions.
Recruiting and retaining URSW individuals requires continuously evaluating and improving a culture of
inclusivity. OPED will conduct an annual climate survey whose results will guide further recruitment and
training initiatives. In alignment with the HCC strategic aim to recruit, train, and develop a cancer workforce
that reflects the diversity of the communities HCC serves, OPED directs education efforts for individuals at all
stages of the training continuum to promote the inclusion of all people regardless of race, ethnicity, gender,
gender identity, sexual orientation, language, and ability. OPED works collaboratively with the MUSC
Department of DEI, including shared resources for the mentorship of URSW individuals and opportunities for
leadership and inclusivity training. OPED will oversee a novel mentorship program for URSW trainees and
faculty, the development of required HCC DEI modules for new hires, support of URSW individuals for internal
and external professional development opportunities, nominations to diversify advisory boards, and new
recruitment initiatives targeting staff, trainees, and faculty. The HCC is proud to have an Associate Director
Leadership Council that is 33% Black/African American, which will help ensure that DEI initiatives are
integrated throughout all HCC operations. HCC also takes pride in its highly successful partnership with SC
State University, an HBCU, and the resultant development of the U54 SC Disparities Research Center. By
supporting infrastructure for the recruitment and retention of URSW individuals at all lev...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10847766
- **Project number:** 2P30CA138313-16
- **Recipient organization:** MEDICAL UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA
- **Principal Investigator:** Nicholas Shungu
- **Activity code:** P30 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2024
- **Award amount:** $129,368
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2009-04-01 → 2029-03-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10847766

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10847766, Plan to Enhance Diversity (2P30CA138313-16). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10847766. Licensed CC0.

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