Diversity in Education

Critical Project for Week 4

Diversity in Education

Laura Nugent

Statistics reported that many governing board trustees of US colleges and universities do not have diversity among their membership. In 2006, The Chronicle of Higher Education, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Governing Boards Make Gains in Diversity, Kathryn Masterson, Vol. LVI, No.8, 10/16/09) found that 90% of trustees were white and 64% were male. As the world of education globalizes, it needs executive board members who understand diversity needs. Financial decisions need to be made concerning the allocations of funds that support departments that serve the students from various cultures. An extra effort has to be made to search out board members who represent diverse cultures, races and sexual orientations. In recessionary times, some trustees may regard diversity departments as a luxury but as global education grows, so should the needs to meet these changes grow. Some of the issues that board members need to address are the establishment of affirmative action programs, marketing to the international community and outreach programs and services for diversity issues. Some new concerns are dealing with age, sexual orientation, transgender, disabilities and socioeconomic classes.
Different countries have different diversity concerns. In Britain, socioeconomic status divides people, in the Middle East discrimination against women has been a problem and in Brazil, racism is a concern. In the US there is much concern about serving the minorities. US is a country of immigrants. The minorities of today will be the majorities of tomorrow. The underserved from marginalized communities are given opportunities in the US thru financial aid and grants. The disabled also have access to education. Most colleges have a disabilities department to tutor exceptional students. Affirmative action programs have given opportunities to the underserved by balancing out the ethnic variety in an institution by way of their admissions policy. (CHE, Section B Diversity in Academe, Affirmative Action, Brazilian Style, Marion Lloyd, Vol. LVI, Number 8, 10/16/09)
Marketing to the international community is expanding. Many prestigious universities in the US are establishing a global presence abroad. Such institutions are New York University, Michigan State and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. New York University is opening up a campus in the United Arab Emirates in 2010. It will be a global network university that will recruit students from all over the world especially Africa, Asia and Europe. NY students will be able to study at both NY and Abu Dhabi campuses. (CHE, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Catching Up in the Persian Gulf, Vol. LVI, No. 8, 10/16/09)
What’s needed for diversity in education? The faculty body needs to represent diversity. Ongoing professional development workshops for diversity training are needed.
Students need tutoring in foreign languages. International advising for foreign students, housing for international students, ethnic clubs, sexual Orientation clubs are a few issues.
Campus diversity profiles; many US students, due to the recession are looking into schools abroad and at the same time we are experiencing an influx of international students. An example is Portland State University. Between 2005 and 2006, there was an influx of Saudis. In 2008 new students arrived from Libya and Vietnam and in 2010 a new wave of Chinese students are expected. In the US, 40% percent of our college students come from India, China, South Korea, Vietnam Saudi Arabia and China.These new shifts in student migration challenge faculty and staff. New and evolving issues will arise that need creative solutions. For example, more Basic English classes are needed, more tutoring program and cultural counseling. The study of comparative religions should be in the curriculum. (CHE, Section B, Diversity in Academe, Colleges Large and Small Help International Students Adjust to American Life, Josh Keller, Vol. LVI No.8, 10/16/09)
What’s needed regarding professional development? Faculty can use diversity as great learning tool for transformative learning. Faculty need to be aware of their own prejudices and biases. There are management consultants and cultural translators who can teach faculty how to bridge the generation divide among young students and teachers. One such company is BridgeWorks, LLC
All countries will now be focusing on educational equity for their students as they prepare them to become members of the globally competitive workplace.

All of the above information is referenced from:
The Chronicle of Higher Education, Section B, Diversity in Academe Volume LVI, Number 8, Oct. 16, 2009.