NCASFAA Fall Conference – November 1-4, 2015 1

Embracing Diversity on College Campus

Presenter Name and Title – School/Organization

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Embracing Diversity

•What is diversity?• “the quality or state of having many different forms,

types, ideas, etc.”• “the state of having people who are different races or

who have different cultures in a group or organization”• Inclusion• Variety

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Embracing Diversity

• Why does diversity matter at college anyway?• “Diversity and the College Experience” (Cuseo & Thompson,

2014)• Expands worldliness• Enhances social development• Prepares students for future career success• Prepares students for work in a global society• Increases knowledge base• Promotes creative thinking• Enhances self-awareness• Enriches the multiple perspectives

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Embracing Diversity

• Special populations to consider• Low income/first generation• Single parents• LGBTQ community

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Embracing Diversity

• Low income/first generation• A 2010 study by the Department of Education found that 50% of the

college population is made up of first generation students• Many of whom come from low-income, minority or immigrant families• Parents lack life experience needed to guide their children to the next

steps of success• Lack of KNOWLEDGE and ACCESS• Students are not prepared for the transition into the “real world”

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Embracing Diversity

• How can we help these students?• Income and merit based scholarship programs• Implement required “101” courses that teach life/workplace skills

• Example: UNCG Guarantee Program• Promotes increased academic awareness through specialized academic

success plans• Designated liaisons assigned to student population• Academic and tutoring services• Mentorship program

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Embracing Diversity• Single Parents

• In the United States, one in four students, or nearly four million students who are enrolled in postsecondary institutions are also raising a dependent child (Miller, Gault, & Thorman, 2011).

• Challenges include:• increasing cost of childcare • scheduling childcare• Classes/low class attendance• work hours/lack of time• low test scores/failing grades• decreased graduate rates

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Embracing Diversity• How can we help these students?

• Use appropriate language• Ensure that faculty and staff are aware of FA policies that impact aid

eligibility (decreasing likelihood of faculty offering “bad” advice)• “Lunch and Learn” session• Cross training opportunities

• Single parent orientation session• # of positions designated in work study jobs• Kid friendly environment

• Toys and coloring books in the lobby during busy time• Indicating if an event is “kid friendly” on the flyer/invite• Parking spaces for family/pregnant women on campus

• On-campus “drop-in” childcare service during class hours

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Embracing Diversity

• LGBTQ Community• Challenges include:

• Safety• http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=130258246

• Lack of family support• Less financial resources

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Embracing Diversity• How can we help these students?• Is your campus LGBTQ friendly?

• Campus Pride Index• http://www.campusprideindex.org/

• Professional Judgement/Dependency Overrides• Language

• Preferred Pronouns• Just ask me!• Check out this video:• http://

chronicle.com/article/Ask-Me-What-LGBTQ-Students/232797?cid=at&utm_source=at&utm_medium=en&elq=1f1bb49de657427988049d1f4f9d2c91&elqCampaignId=1646&elqaid=6628&elqat=1&elqTrackId=532ca591814c495cbc25d02ee8bc948f

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NCASFAA would like to thank our Professional Affiliates!