Why Diversity Matters in Higher Education: The Importance of Inclusive Campus Communities

Statistics show that 19.4% of college students are Hispanic or Latino, a huge increase since 1976. The rate of female students has also nearly doubled since 1947.

When it comes to higher education, inclusivity, and diversity matters. This is something that more and more colleges are putting a strong focus on.

There have been massive improvements regarding diversity in college students. But there is still plenty of room to go and more improvements that need to be made.

Keep reading to find out why diversity matters in higher education environments.

Why Is Inclusivity in College Important?

You may not realize why inclusivity in higher education is important. After all, not everyone goes on to pursue a college education.

But college is becoming more and more popular among students. More students are enrolling than ever before, creating a very competitive environment.

Because of this, it is important to make sure everybody has equal opportunities. Colleges want to make sure they are excepting a diverse range of students.

There are many things that can impact college diversity. The state that the colleges in it may be predominantly white or predominantly another race.

This will have an obvious impact on how diverse the campus looks. But there are plenty of ways that colleges can still improve on diversity.

Diversity in the Workforce

Being inclusive in higher education goes beyond college. We need to see more race groups in college to see a more diverse workforce.

These college students are going to end up graduating and flooding the workforce. If these students are all of one race, the workforce is going to look very much the same.

We can already clearly see this as certain races dominate certain careers. With so many different people living in the US, it is important to try to correct this issue.

There are plenty of people who would be interested in different careers if given the opportunity. These opportunities are only available if you have a college diploma.

If we want to create diversity when it comes to careers, we have to start early on. This is why it is so important for colleges to take initiative.

Equal Opportunities

A lot of people in the US are held back due to a lack of experience. They may not have gone to college or didn’t have the finances to afford it.

Some of the most profitable careers in the US require specific credentials. These can only be achieved through higher education.

Unfortunately, this has created very unequal opportunities for many people. Different race groups are not a part of many careers because they don’t have the required education.

This doesn’t just stop at career opportunities. A lack of education also results in fewer economic opportunities for different races.

They will have less of a chance of becoming more financially secure than others. This often results in a cycle of poverty that people struggle to get out of.

Different Perspectives

Colleges are also focusing on different perspectives, a part of why diversity matters. Different race groups have different perspectives on life and society.

Their background and life experience have been very different from others. Students need to be exposed to this, being allowed to interact with different kinds of people.

This is a part of the college experience that helps to cultivate a more open mindset. It also helps students to have more empathy and understanding for others.

They will be able to walk away from college with a broader perspective of the world. It's also helpful in targeting certain biases that students may have.

Stronger Communities

America is a very diverse country that has become a melting pot for society. People from all racial backgrounds live here and have made this their home.

Unfortunately, there is quite a lot of division between people in the US. There are many misunderstandings, and everyone has a different experience from each other.

This can often result in society dividing itself into separate sections. This makes it very difficult for people to find community and connect with people who aren’t like them.

The college provides a perfect space where people can form a community. Students from all backgrounds will be living together, experiencing something completely new.

This isn’t something that only stays on campus, however. Students will continue through life with a broader perspective of what community is.

They will be able to go on to create communities wherever they live, helping to tackle division.

Future Role Models

College demographics show that there are 15% of black students in selective colleges. And only 8% of black students go to elite research colleges.

This is one example of how certain race groups have fewer college opportunities. They may not go to college because no one in their family does or they can’t afford it.

Having diversity on a college campus provides the opportunity for future role models. For example, a Hispanic child may aspire to go to college if they see a Hispanic student doing so.

People naturally gravitate to others who look like them. This is part of biology and is something colleges should use to their advantage.

Diversity matters today because what happens in the present will impact the future. Small steps will often lead to greater diversity in the coming years for colleges.

Gender Vs Race Diversity

It is also important to discuss why diversity matters when it comes to gender and race. These are two areas where there has been a lot of inequality.

Most people would say that gender and race are equally important. You cannot have diversity unless you have a campus that is inclusive in both ways.

That is why college campuses need to focus on both aspects. This includes showing different race groups of each gender to showcase inclusivity.

Resources should be available for different race groups and people of different genders. This will help to encourage enrollment and support students once they arrive on campus.

Why Is Inclusivity in the Work Force Important?

We spoke a bit about inclusivity in the workforce, but how important is it really? This is very important since there are a lot of disparities in different careers.

When it comes to the top careers, like doctors, cardiologists, and pilots, there is a lack of diversity. These are just a few examples of high-paying careers dominated by specific races.

To see this change in the future, colleges need to accept more students. How diverse a college campus is is a direct reflection of how the workforce will look in a few years.

This also has an impact on society as a whole. If people never interact with others of different races, this will reflect in their personal and professional lives.

How to Create More Diversity

Now that you know why diversity matters in higher education, what can you do? Understanding is not enough; colleges need to take action in this area.

Tackling such a big issue as diversity can feel very overwhelming. But the good news is that there are actionable steps you can take to see a change in the future.

Here are some examples of ways colleges can promote a more diverse range of students.

Create More Appeal

It is very important for colleges to advertise themselves. After all, this is how many students figure out where they want to go.

Colleges need to focus on creating a diverse marketing plan. If you are creating ads, you should make sure the students in the ads represent all race groups.

This helps to show potential students that inclusivity is important to you. It will help them to feel more comfortable if they decide to apply to your college.

You should also create different programs and resources for diverse students. This can be a part of your marketing agenda as a driving force for students.

Show them why diversity matters to you and what you offer them. Students will be more convinced if you can prove that you have created a safe and inclusive space.

Encourage Social Interactions

College campuses are their own kind of melting pot when it comes to society. Students from all walks of life gather together and have to cohabitate on campus.

Despite this, there is still plenty of division on college campuses. It is far too easy for students to segregate themselves into their own little groups.

It is important for campuses to try to put a stop to this. One way to do this is to create more opportunities for social interactions.

College campuses should have events and activities planned on a weekly basis. This should include a wide range of entertainment that most students would find interesting.

The more options students have, the more students will take advantage of them. This will help to naturally integrate students together to help them socialize more.

Create Opportunities

College campuses can be very intimidating places for students. This is especially true when it comes to students of different races who may not feel like they fit in.

Something colleges can do, is create more opportunities. Different race groups will feel more comfortable if they feel as though they are being heard.

Colleges should have options available to help students find their place. You could host art shows where students of all races can showcase their skills.

Or provide a wide range of sports and other activities they can join. The main point is to get students involved and help them to feel like they are part of a community.

An interactive space helps to ensure students will not be left behind. This is very important for more diverse students who may fall between the cracks in many areas.

Involve Culture

A fun way of getting people involved is to incorporate culture in college. College campuses could incorporate cultural foods into the cafeteria.

It could even have specific days designated for certain cuisines. This will help students of different races to feel at home and encourage others to try new things.

Colleges could also host cultural events or include different cultural holidays on their calendars. The options are endless, and you can even get advice from different students.

Students of different races could even be put in charge of these cultural events. This is a great way to get people involved and help students to be more open-minded.

Have Diverse Teachers

Something that colleges often forget about is the diversity of their teachers. Diversity matters whether we are talking about students or teachers on college campuses.

Teachers provide a kind of role model for students going to college. You will be able to attract a more diverse range of students if they have teachers that look like them.

Teachers will have a deeper understanding of the students and where they are coming from. This can help to create a more inclusive space that promotes empathy.

This is also important as it provides job opportunities for people of other races. This may encourage students to pursue careers even if they don’t fit the traditional mold.

Diversity Matters: Higher Education and Inclusivity

When it comes to inclusivity and higher education, diversity matters. This is important for preparing the next generation to create an inclusive society.

This shows what the workforce is going to look like and what opportunities will be available. Because of this, college diversity affects society as a whole.

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