Case Study: Dr. Cephas Archie

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are experiencing low retention rates with first generation college students. The students are not graduating within a four to six year enrollment period, and or are not returning after their freshmen year. As the American workforce looks to colleges and universities to fulfill the workforce pipeline with educated diverse workers, HBCUs are in the spotlight to produce qualified minority graduates. Moreover, HBCU’s are looking to refine their methods of inclusion and buy-in, this will in-turn manifest a higher level of retention amongst first generation college students.

Minority serving institutions have been an integral part of the education system in the United States since before the Civil War (LeMelle, 2002). Historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have, for much of their existence, been criticized for the level of academic rigor, political context, and their social agenda have created controversy for generations. With that being said, HBCUs hold a valuable place in the landscape of US higher education institutions. The culture, history, and perspective that is taught and shared are unparalleled and cannot be replicated at a predominately white institution (PWI).

This document is the Strategic Diversity Plan for the Houston R-I School District. This plan is a 5-year plan designed to help our school district meet the diverse needs of all students. It is our goal to have a school district that is embracive, supportive, and respectful of individual differences. The Houston R-I School District is focused on and committed to providing opportunities for our school and community to work together to develop a pluralistic relationship that supports all students socially, emotionally, and academically. We will strive to be a school

Companies and educational institutions greatly benefit from the guidelines of affirmative action because they profit from the different ideas, work styles, and contributions unique to each diverse individual. As quoted in Paul Connors’s compilation, Affirmative Action, President of Columbia University, Lee Bollinger, addresses the importance of a diverse educational system by stating, “The experience of arriving on a campus to live and study with classmates from a diverse range of backgrounds is essential to students' training for this new world, nurturing in them an instinct to reach out instead of clinging to the comforts of what seems natural or familiar” (12-13). A statement by Southeastern Oklahoma State University further supports the idea that success in modern day society stems from diversity saying, “Our country is strong because of the rich diversity of our culture, not in spite of it” (Affirmative Action).

Having served in higher education the past three years, I have grown in my appreciation for the complexities of colleges and universities. Specifically, I am fascinated by how institutions value diversity within their student population and among their employees. Over the past two years colleges and universities have had to confront their racist past to understand their student population. Christian higher education has not been immune to this soul searching. Christian institutions must recognize diversity as a biblical and institutional imperative to embrace institutional inclusive excellence. Diversity needs to be embraced for institutions to survive in a pluralistic and changing society. As higher education faces a tumultuous future, there is a heightened need for diverse administrators who can navigate and effectively lead institutions towards inclusive excellence.

Here at The University of Texas at Austin, we embrace and encourage diversity in many forms, striving to create an inclusive community that fosters an open and supportive learning, teaching and working environment. Our strength as a university draws from our wide range of perspectives and experiences, and we support a free exchange of ideas alongside thoughtful consideration of our differences. The UT Austin Division of Diversity and Community Engagement (DDCE) offers more than 40 programs and initiatives that support this vision, strengthening diversity on campus and in communities across the state, all while helping to shape the future leaders of Texas and the world

In the past Dr. Pratt served Cleveland State University as president of the Black Faculty and Staff organization for the 2012-2014 academic school years. She participates annually as a member of the President’s Advisory Committee on the Role and Status of Women and the University’s Retention and

Affirmative action, and race-based admissions standards, are the best way to increase (or maintain) diversity at institutions of higher learning. In spite of its perceived flaws, it has increased the diversity at previously all-white institutions of higher learning, such as the University of Texas at Austin, and that diversity has allowed friendships to be formed that otherwise would not have been, has allowed students to learn from professors they otherwise would never have and allowed professors to learn from students from a wide variety of

As an African-American female coming here to Kutztown was a new experience. Attending a predominantly white school was nothing new to me, but coming from a city schooling experience was completely different than the town setting of Kutztown University. It was difficult getting adjusted to life at Kutztown, I did not know anyone and I did not have a roommate for the better part of my first semester; I kept to myself more. The diversity of Kutztown is not apparent at all. It’s buried under A.C.E. activities or mainstream organization funding. In direct correlation to the educational aspect of the matter, most professors that I have encountered are aware of the various issues are respectful to everyone so I speak for my peers. The diversity issue on campus comes into play within the student population.

Recently, Dr. Terry Echols- Program Director and Founder was recognized by Noel-Levitz for his outstanding commitment and success in the creation of the Minority Male Initiative. More institutions around the country have started to implement similar programs that focus on the success and retention of males of color including the creation of the Federal Title III Predominantly Black Institutions Grant which is currently offered at many community colleges. Retention, Graduation Rates and Academic Success are focus areas that should be addressed and improved, and the Minority Male Initiative provides a great model to research.

The Diversity Achievement Program is a 2 part program sponsored by the office of Diversity & Inclusion designed to provide support for students from underrepresented populations. This program recognizes the challenges of attending Marietta College, a Predominantly White Institution located in Washington County, Ohio. This program prepares students to confront a variety of challenges they may face while on campus and in the community. The primary goal is to ensure each student is successful academically, personally, socially, and professionally. To achieve this mission, the transition program, mentoring program, and tutoring programs have been created.

Understanding “more Americans from every color and creed are now earning college educations so college faculty should reflect that” (Lynch, 2013, para. 2) efforts have been placed to identify areas that would be able to reach diverse groups to include women and minority applicants. These efforts will allow for a further range in a variety of sectors to include job boards, social media outlets, and mobile applications in addition to advertising on the Sincere College Career Site. The below have been

Arizona State University has been deemed one of the most diverse universities because their ethnic diversity is described as above average. However, according to the racial demographics, more than half of the students at this university are Caucasian. In my opinion, providing a setting for students that is culturally diverse is one of the most important aspects of a college campus. While Arizona State University has somewhat diverse campuses, it seems as if minorities are outnumbered. Being an African American student of ASU has inspired me to want to be a part of projects and events that advocate for African Americans. More specifically, being an African American woman has been a huge inspiration. It has inspired me because I have heard

In order to study the need of a racially and culturally diverse college campus, the journey and battles fought must be dicussed. While there is a lack of diversity on college campuses today, they are not completely devoid of people of color. However, there was a time when college campuses were one hundred percent Caucasian. Jonathan R. Alger, Jorge Chapa and a team of researchers conducted studies on various college classrooms. They then went on to publish their findings in a book titled Does Diversity make a Difference? The purpose of their paper was to discuss the importance of diversity and reveal the effects of non-diverse campus. They begin their book by taking a look into the history of diversity in America. The start of the Civil Rights movement along with President Lyndon B. Johnson’s war on poverty took place in the mid 1960s. These events forced the country to face the reality of the people of color in America. These Americans of color did not have equal access to education, jobs, housing, or other valued resources (Alger et al. 2000). College administrators and faculty were starting to understand the necessity of a diverse campus. The realized that people of color had just as much to offer to the United States as the Caucasian majority. During that time, “many higher education faculty members and administrators were deeply concerned that abandonment of race sensitive admissions and hiring, at a time when most minority groups continue to be unrepresented in higher education, will severely limit campus diversity and would undermine the learning environment for all students.” (Alger et al. 2000). Additionally, a lot of the traditionally white colleges and universities were provoked and questioned by the concerns of their students. The universities and colleges began to notice their inability to extend the same educational

As an undergraduate at Lehigh University I’ve wanted to change several social, academic, and extracurricular situations that I’ve faced. Lehigh could benefit from being a more diverse educational atmosphere. The most recent student demographics statistics stated that 68% of students are Caucasian. Penn Dental would offer me a class of students with more diversity in ethnicities, cultures, and backgrounds than what I’ve experienced at Lehigh. I’ve supported student groups and programming that promotes equality across lines of race, gender, socioeconomic status and sexuality.