Equality in College Population

Dr. Cephas Archie is the Diversity & Inclusion Program Coordinator for Houston Community College (HCC), where he assists in the implementation of the colleges 7 + campus Diversity & Inclusion Plan. Collaboratively working with all institutional stakeholders – both internal and external, Dr. Archie spearheads the institution’s diversity and inclusion efforts for the near 81,000 students, faculty and staff. As an employee of the Office of Institutional Equity at HCC, his efforts are accompanied by the college’s Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Dr. Charleyse Pratt serves as the assistant vice president of multicultural affairs and engagement of Cleveland state university. In this role her primary responsibilities include coordinating Learning Communities Programs and Partnerships at Cleveland State as well as directing initiatives for the Cleveland Transfer Connection. The transfer connection partnership is with Cuyahoga county Community College’s where students are able to begin associate or undergraduate studies to earn a degree and then transfer to Cleveland State to complete the four-year baccalaureate degree. The Cleveland Transfer Connection (CTC) at Tri-C and Cleveland State University is a Learning Communities program unique to Cleveland because it provides services from two institutions and offers two degrees (an Associate’s and a Bachelor’s) in one community of students. Dr Pratt’s driving philosophy is to create opportunities while disarming challenges for students who have a desire to gain an education but now need the preparation to be successful in a classroom. Her approach is student-centered support, leadership training and resource management to better navigate the academic journey toward graduation.

Thinking about the struggle that lead to the emergence of Black studies departments in America, with help from students and teachers, to understanding today based on past failures what the right kind of education looks like, feels like and the outcomes it produces, it becomes clear that the legacy of educating Black people to have white minds is still in play. Additionally, after all that Black studies departments have accomplished, a return back to communal involvement/community service as a requirement for students within these departments, keeps the legacy of what fostered Black Student Unions and departments to form in the first place, this particularly being valuing intellectual growth

We, Lindenwood University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force are charged with promoting the well-being, safety and security of a diverse academic community in which teaching, learning, and the exchange of ideas can flourish, and where we encounter, encourage, and interrogate ideas that challenge settled notions of truth.

I attended a majority white high school, in respect to the student population. Afterward, I attended a historically black, all-male institution in Morehouse College. Continuing, I earned my Masters in Teaching at Bellarmine University, and lastly, I earned my doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. After high school, each school I attended had a religious affiliation: Morehouse – Baptist; Bellarmine – Catholic; and Liberty – Evangelical. Aside from Morehouse College, each school was a predominantly white academic institution. And while attending these schools, I found a apparent lack of attention that addressed the issues or perspective that African Americans may have in respect to leadership principles. Still, I enjoyed being in the minority because it afforded me an

To help foster growth and development, institutions are focusing on how to implement programs and services that encourage students to explore their own individuality. Student development advocates “are drawn to critical theories because they focus attention on underrepresented populations of students” (p. 1). Critical theory is an umbrella term for multiple disciplines including humanities, sociology, legal studies, and education. By accentuating individual circumstances, critical theories can be applied for a more intricate understanding of the student as whole, including factors like individual and social aspects that can affect development. By embracing a multitude of strategies, student affairs professionals focus on developing racial awareness by promoting and encouraging interaction between all races in anticipation of racial understanding (Ireland & Jones,

Supporting the success for diverse students on campus is just the beginning to make their experience as equal to that of the white community. Without positive campus attitude and without the recognition of what diversity brings to a school and a classroom, the system would not thrive and those of a different ethnic background will not be inclined to attend. The conclusion to Espinosa’s, Gaertner, and Orfields article is that college and university leaders

Growing up in Baltimore, I was exposed to a variety of educational experiences. From walking gang infest hallways to taking advance placement classes, each school year was diverse with its own set of challenges. As I look back on educational journey, one experience stayed consistent: the lack of African American men in my classrooms. It was not until high school, that I met the only two African American male STEM educators I would have during my public school career. Seeing these men in the classroom had a profound effect on me and my peers because we idolized them, seeking them for both academic and moral guidance. For some students, these men were the only direct male influence in their lives, and for others, including myself, these men provided

In my opinion, minorities should not have a lower admission standard in order to racially balance college populations; however, I am not supporting the denial of a minority to a college education just because of their financial abilities. A financial aid program should be implemented to address any issues on racially balanced college populations. Although some financial aid programs run by the College or University can result in price discrimination by awarding some students more financial aid just because of their better records and test scores (Lawson, & Zerkle, 2006).

I consider college football as a job not just a sport. The players would not just enjoy the sport but adjust to college, socially and economically. Keolanui says, “A good portion of these players are trying to adjust as well and feel inferiority in more ways we care to realize. The fame and prestige that comes from being a big college football star goes a long way towards helping many of these players overcome any social economical disparity.” Going into a new school is a new place of environment for the players and getting paid would only influence the players to do better on the field but in classes as well. As many people know college is genuinely expensive and the action of getting paid would help relieve worries with the few expenses college

Race, ethnicity, religion, class, sexual orientation, ability, and gender have all impacted my life in ways beyond my total comprehension. However, I can begin to identify some of the notable interactions and effects and discuss the ways in which they might present themselves in my teaching practices. I am a White, European American, Christian, and heterosexual female without a medically ascribed disability. I can say that ultimately (and unfortunately) my cultural and physical identity is considered normative within the United States and has placed me on a path of privilege and power. Throughout my life, though, I have been fortunate to encounter other cultural groups in very meaningful ways. My international, religious, and family experiences have shaped my worldview most notably.

The United States of America is known for being a country filled with people of many different ethnic backgrounds. Likewise, the student population in schools is just as diverse as it continues to grow. Lynch (2015) notes that schools are expected to teach their students “how to synthesize cultural differences into their knowledge base” as this will help “facilitate students’ personal and professional success in a diverse world” (para. 8). Educators must be able to provide for the diverse needs of students and are expected to equip students with skills that can lead to healthy development as it can affect higher levels of student achievement and students have more opportunities of success in their future. Providing students with tools and skills requires an awareness and acceptance of their ethnic identity. Once students have developed self-acceptance about their ethnic identity, they can begin to feel empowered and motivated to do well. Through cultural empowerment, students of color can develop intrinsic motivation and achieve academic success.

My research question was stimulated by “The Life of Peasants” from Life on a Medieval Barony and A Letter to my Nephew by James Baldwin. Throughout both articles equality and the idea of class systems are discussed thoroughly. James Baldwin talked about integration as meaning “we with love shall force our brothers to see themselves as they are, to cease fleeing from reality and begin the change it, for this is your home” (Baldwin). Baldwin talks about the importance of integration and how integration can create equality. In his eyes, one can succeed by integrating and defeating the classic stereotypes, one can change his or her name for the better. Going along with class systems is “The Life of Peasants” by William Stearns Davis. In the article, class systems are mentioned throughout and the people at the bottom are the forgotten ones. The article reads, “Assuredly the poor and humble seem much less interesting and command less attention. They have no splendors, no picturesque, fêtes or feuds” (Davis). The poor are referred to as unimportant just like the African Americans in Baldwin’s letter to his nephew. The talk about equality and the class systems led me to ask, if America lowered the cost of college tuition, would that help create equality for all Americans in the school system? America should decrease the cost of college tuition and in turn increase the equality among American citizens of all economic

In today 's world where the population, especially of the United States, is growing gloriously diverse, institutions of higher education must also reflect this aspect in their student body. The purpose of colleges and universities is to provide students with the education and experience they need to succeed after graduating as well as expand their thoughts and perspectives. Thus, they must create and maintain a similar environment in which students will live and work in the future. Although diversity has been emphasized as a priority for many schools, socioeconomic diversity is often disregarded. However, socioeconomic diversity plays an important role in developing the perspectives and minds of students. Thus, it is essential for the admission offices, especially of prestigious universities like the University of Pennsylvania, to recruit and admit more economically disadvantaged students as well as for the schools to meet the needs of and maintain those students.

Many of the readings from this last week have caused me to think about my own personal identity and how that impacts my students. As a white woman, there have been very few times when I have thought about the significance of race in my own life. And I have become aware that that can lead to a lack of understanding of racial significance for my students. Most of the students that I teach are from different races, ethnicities and cultural backgrounds. Thus, being mindful of how those differences impact the classroom