Campus Diversity

DECEMBER 2018 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

|

An Independent Supplement by Mediaplanet to USA Today

Campus Diversity

Loni Love shares how being a minority in the classroom prepared her for the workforce

$

2 $PMMFHF %SJWF ] "MCBOZ (" XXX BTVSBNT FEV

2 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

College campuses are working to be more inclusive towards multicultural students.

Page 5

in this issue

Learn how support groups and training programs can help students succeed in achieving their goals.

Page 6

Nation-wide organizations speak out on student mental health awareness.

Online

How Four-Year Colleges Impact First-Generation Student Success New analysis highlights key findings and best practices for how four-year colleges can support students who are the first in their family to attend college.

A

ccording to a recent report from the Center for First-Generation Student Success, the way information about student demographics is shared across campuses can dramatically impact the success of first-generation students. While 80 percent of institutions surveyed identify first-generation status at the point of admission, that critical detail is not always disseminated in a meaningful way with professionals who work with the students. The Cen-

ter’s analysis found that while 61 percent of four-year institutions tracked outcomes for first-generation students, fewer than half used the data to inform support programs, and only 28 percent had systems to share first-generation status with faculty and staff.

Support systems Campuses with the most success in supporting first-generation students take a proactive and asset-based approach. They acknowledge and celebrate the

Sarah E. Whitley Senior Director, Center for First-Generation Student Success, NASPA

substantial contributions of first-generation students to campus life by developing programs to improve community and dismantle systemic barriers to success. Since first-generation students make up a third of students nationwide, these supports are imperative. Nationally, these institutions are designing first-generation-specific welcome experiences, programs focused on acclimation and living-learning communities. These efforts provide first-generation students with exposure and connections

that are critical to increasing their comfort and building critical skills in this uncharted territory.

The success of these programs is largely predicated on offering them to these students at little or no additional cost.

Even when resources are limited, higher education can begin addressing disparities in campus supports by strengthening data collection and dissemination about first-generation status and improving the reach of existing efforts for a networked approach. n

Publisher Brooke Christopher Business Developer Jordan Hernandez Managing Director Luciana Olson Designers Chris Espino, Tiffany Pryor, Marie Coons Copy Editor Juliana Burkhart Director of Sales Shannon Ruggiero Director of Business Development Jourdan Snyder Director of Product Faye Godfrey Lead Editor Mina Fanous Production Manager Josh Rosman Production & Social Media Coordinator Bria Mastroianni All photos are credited to Getty Images unless otherwise credited. This section was created by Mediaplanet and did not involve USA Today.

KEEP YOUR FEED FRESH. FOLLOW US @MEDIAPLANETUSA

EMAIL CONTENT INQUIRIES TO EDITORIAL@MEDIAPLANET.COM

PLEASE RECYCLE AFTER READING

Excellence Thrives Here

MEDIAPLANET | 3

What Will It Take to Close the Achievement Gap? Exploring financial aid and application options are key to improving access to higher education for minority students.

“We all have a responsibility to ensure that students can learn with a diverse community of their peers.”

It’s no secret that getting a college education is paramount in today’s competitive job market. But still, gaps in opportunity exist, according to John B. King, Jr., CEO and president of nonprofit The Education Trust. That means it’s becoming increasingly important for parents of minority students to educate themselves about the resources at their children’s disposal, and for educators to take steps to facilitate those opportunities.

Overcoming obstacles “While about 6 in 10 white students who start a bachelor’s degree will eventually earn one, just 5 in 10 Hispanic students and low-income students of any race or ethnicity have earned a bachelor’s degree. Only 4 in 10 black and Native-American students have earned one,” King said.

“These disparities demonstrate that students of color and students from low-income families face higher hurdles on the path to college education.”

Financial aid options Leveraging financial aid options is a crucial first step. Families can start with completing the FAFSA to apply for federal grants and student loans that offer more protection than private loans, according to King, whose organization strives to close achievement gaps.

Ensuring students have the tools they need to finish their degree is also important.

“The research is clear: the students who struggle most with repaying their loans are the students who end up with debt but no degree. Choosing the best possible college in the first place — and avoiding predatory for-profit colleges that often leave students worse off than when they started — can pay off down the road,” said King. He recommends applying to multiple schools and using tools such as the Common Application and the Common Black College Application to ease the application process and cut costs. Students can also use College Results to identify a college that works best for their goal and budget.

SUPPORTING STUDENTS ABOVE: John B. King, Jr. fist-bumps students as they walk into the first day of school at Mastery Charter in Philadelphia, PA. RIGHT: Sitting with a student in class on the first day of school at Mastery Charter in Philadelphia, PA. PHOTOS: THE EDUCATION TRUST

Federal grants help Schools and politics play a role, too. King calls on Congress to strengthen the Pell Grant, the primary federal scholarship for low-income college students, and for schools to offer extra support to help enable the success of disadvantaged students.

“Our diversity makes us stronger,” King said. “From early education to higher education, we all have a responsibility to ensure that students can learn with a diverse community of their peers.” n Melinda Carter

4 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

Receiving the Support Needed to Succeed First-hand accounts from students can be the most valuable tools we have for discovering just how much diversity impacts the college experience.

Juliana Florez Ramapo College

What is diversity and inclusion?

What does it mean to you?

Juliana Florez: Diversity is the uniqueness and creativity within each individual.

It can be expressed in various ways, such as religion, race, ethnicity, skin color, sexuality or world views. Inclusion is what brings us all together to form an environment of acceptance and understanding. What it represents to me is the ability to express myself for who I truly am: an immigrant, a Latina, a person with chronic illness and a person who is determined to succeed.

Dominique Corona: Diversity is the beauty in being surrounded by people from all walks of life. Inclusion is the unconditional acceptance of everyone. To me, diversity and inclusion mean safety. We need a safe place free of judgment in order to learn, grow and create meaningful bonds.

What successful initiatives has your school put in place to support a diverse student body?

JF: I am a student from a low-income family living in an urban area with minimal

opportunities. When my mom lost her job, I needed the support of community food banks. I can remember the embarrassment of paying for groceries with food stamps. Recently, the Student Government Association at Ramapo College in New Jersey was able to create a food pantry on campus. Now students at Ramapo have this tremendous community support to put food on their tables.

DC: The USC School of Dramatic Arts (SDA) created a strategic plan to integrate diversity in every aspect of the school.

The Inclusion and Equity Committee is an amazing initiative that provides a plaform for members of the SDA community to recognize and celebrate our identities and discuss issues of discrimination and lack of understanding for those in marginalized communities.

The school also launched the Institute for Theatre and Social Change, which has created a space for people of all backgrounds to come together and explore the intersection of art and empowerment for communities that need to have their voices heard.

Through performances, panels, art installations and conferences, incredible artists

Dominique Corona USC School of Dramatic Arts

and activists from around the world are able to share their work and opinions on how we can heal the world.

In your experience, what are key factors that contribute to the success of students from diverse backgrounds?

JF: I believe what helps students of diverse backgrounds succeed are the relationships they create with faculty and dedicated staff. The mentorship and guidance I have received from my faculty and staff has had a tremendous impact on me academically, socially and personally. Many times, all a student needs is for someone to listen to them. I never had to worry about feeling alone because I had amazing individuals ready to help me and listen to my concerns.

I could never thank them enough for their efforts to help me succeed and words of encouragement when I doubted myself.

Without them, I would not be the leader I am today.

DC: The first thing we need to succeed is understanding of the hidden struggles that those in marginalized communities must

often fight through alone. While some of us may need scholarships or special accommodations, it doesn’t minimize the work we have done to get where we are. Each student is held to the same standards when it comes to admissions, and trying to erase our hard work by saying that we are only there to “fill a quota” is in no way valid or appropriate.

Students and professors should never treat us differently.

The next thing we need is normalization of our existence. We are not attending the university for the sole purpose of educating those who do not belong to marginalized communities. We are not here to be exoticized or fetishized. As students of racial, sexual, religious and socio-economic minorities, we earned our spots and we deserve the same education as our white cis-gender classmates. We are not marketing tools or brochure models.

We also need allies. We need students and professors who may not completely understand the experiences of marginalized students but who will help fight alongside us. We need to know that there are administrators who won’t stifle our voices when we need to fix an issue on a higher level. n

MEDIAPLANET | 5

College campuses are working to be more inclusive of students who are learning from unique perspectives thanks to their intersectional identities.

“Intersectionality” is a word used to describe the way in which overlapping social identities create a unique experience of the world.

More often than not, much of the conversation around diversity and inclusion is dominated by addressing race or gender as separate issues. However, it is important to acknowledge intersectional identities and the compounded challenges some of us face as a result of belonging to multiple marginalized communities.

College campuses are working to be more inclusive of students who are learning from intersectional perspectives. In the past year, we have seen a number of universities and colleges commit to leading diversity and inclusion efforts to

Intersectional Social Justice on Campus

foster campus communities that are welcoming and affirming.

Intersectional inclusivity As the leading civil rights organization dedicated to the empowerment of black LGBTQ individ-

uals, the National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) has accepted the mission to ensure that diversity and inclusion efforts account for the multi-dimensional ways that individuals experience the world and their campus commu-

nities. Specifically, NBJC helps to improve the capacity of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) through a unique cultural competency training that is centered around, and inclusive of, black students. We partner

with leadership at HBCUs to review and implement policies and support faculty and students in endeavors to improve curriculum to address the aforementioned concerns. We endeavor to support diversity and inclusion efforts that are both meaningful and measurable.

Our overarching goal is to create and sustain inclusive communities that account for the diversity that is our reality in America. Without authentic and measurable engagement, diversity and inclusion efforts cannot be sustained. Ensuring inclusion requires much more than episodic collaboration. It demands improving cultural competency that strengthens existing relationships, builds new ones and removes barriers to success. Our efforts are guided by the wise words of Fannie Lou Hamer, who reminds us that “none of us are free until all of us are free.” ■ David J. Johns, Executive Director, National Black Justice Coalition

The New, Free Technology That’s Helping College Students Understand and Apply for Financial Assistance SPONSORED

Twenty million students apply for financial aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), annually. However, not all students are taking advantage of this moneysaving opportunity, but a credit union is working to close that gap.

According to the EAB, in 2017, $2.3 billion in government aid went unclaimed due to lack of form submissions. Part of the reason is due to the process. Students applying for financial aid, such as loans and scholarships, need to fill out the FAFSA form, which has six sections and over 100 questions.

CommunityAmerica, a credit union in Kansas City, launched FAFSAchat, a FAFSA support chatbot, using artificial intelligence to help students with questions about the financial aid form. The free tool can answer approximately 400 questions.

Their Cost & Compare Calculator, a free software tool helps

students broaden their college dreams by understanding the actual cost of college, provides personalized results and can compare the true cost of 6,000 colleges.

College affordability Kansas City’s Alta Vista High School consists of a low-income community. Ninety-two percent of the 400 students are Latino, and 90 percent go to college after graduation.

“College education gives students tools to move up in the world,” says Mary Claire Gustafson, the school’s college and career counselor. “In the case of Alta Vista students, it will give

them leverage in their community and hopefully help their families move out of poverty.”

The school hosted a “FAFSA Fiesta,” showing students and parents the chatbot. “This tool was extremely useful,” says Gustafson.

Student perspective Nearly half of all FAFSA applicants are first-generation students whose parents lack the experience to help their children.

For high school junior Anthony Tran, his mother — who’s from Vietnam and only finished middle school — is his motivation to go to college. Initially, he worried about going into debt.

“Being in a low-income family, this was a strong fear for me,” he says, explaining the FAFSAchat bot and the college calculator made him realize the cost of college, backed with scholarships, was much more affordable than he expected.

University of Chicago student Carlos Cardona wishes he had FAFSAchat when he was in high school.

Back then, he didn’t think he could afford college. Now he’s telling other students to believe they can: “It is possible, but just takes a little work.” ■ Kristen Castillo

6 | EDUCATIONANDCAREERNEWS.COM

3 Ways Colleges Can Support Student Success Higher education institutions can foster the success of students through training programs, support groups and research.

The transition from high school to college can be tough when it comes to the increased workload, meeting high expectations and balancing the responsibilities of a new level of independence.

Making connections in this new environment and finding a space that students can call their own is crucial. Studies show that student success in college is intricately linked with feeling connected and

engaged with a community of peers and professors.

Facilitating this requires a deeper look into what institutions offer in terms of programs, resources and services geared towards making the transition from high school to college more manageable. In the efforts to accomplish this goal, higher education institutions must also recognize that today’s students are far more diverse than ever before and will require innovative support initiatives that target both the individual student and the campus community.

Here are three ways college campuses can innovate to enhance stu-

dents’ sense of accomplishment and well-being: 1. Supportive communities One of the most valuable tools for any higher education professional is a community of colleagues to call on to navigate the ever-changing landscape of our work with college students and to share best practices. These communities come in many forms, from LGBTQ to multi-ethnic professionals dedicated to international knowledge exchange. These communities are what keep us connected and informed on current trends. They lead us to adopt new ways to make a positive impact on our students.

2. Skill-building programs It is never too early for a student to start sharpening their tools for success. There are hundreds of higher education associations and professional conference experiences that institutions can take advantage of to provide skill-building programs, networking opportunities and serve as co-curricular laboratories to help students feel connected to their institutions outside of the classroom. These trainings can help students and professionals tackle conversations of leadership, diversity and inclusion, social justice, activism and campus community.

3. Ongoing research Institutions must have a strong commitment to furthering research. Continued research leads to high-impact practices that help bring life to student transitional experiences, leadership development programs, campus climate improvements, academic support initiatives and targeted learning experiences that anchor students to their college communities.

This is also how we ensure that our work remains relevant and aligned with fostering the holistic success of all students.

Today’s college student demographics and interests are changing. It is imperative that higher education institutions adapt to ensure that all students who enter their campuses establish a strong sense of belonging that will ultimately lead to higher grades, successful degree completion and an excellent college experience. ■ Dwayne Isaacs, Region 3 Director, Association of College Unions International

No Grades. No Essays. No Test Scores.

Just a two-minute video describing your passion.

LIVEMASSCHOLARSHIP.COM Applications accepted through

February 21, 2019 ©2018 Taco Bell IP Holder, LLC.

The Emmy-winning talk show host of “The Real” shares how she came into her own in college thanks to a strong line-up of extracurriculars.

Loni Love’s fascination with electrical engineering was ignited during her time working on a General Motors assembly line in her hometown of Detroit. That may not be the setup you’d expect for the career path of a beloved

comedian and TV personality, but it was Love’s choice to pursue engineering in college that ultimately introduced her to the people and ideas that would set the course for her career in comedy.

Love enrolled at the public, historically black college Prairie A&M University in Texas, where she found herself far outnumbered by men in her electrical engineering classes. That experience turned into positive practice for her future career in engineering. “When I got

my first job, I was the only female and the only black employee in my work group,” she remembers. “They were all older white males, but I was comfortable working around men because that was my experience as an engineering student in college.”

Love credits participation in her college’s band and her sorority membership with her personal development. “I looked for the sorority that I felt addressed my particular needs,” explains Love.

“I also looked at the type of alumni

Learn in small classes.

Succeed in big ways.

With an average class size of 23 and a student-faculty ratio of 18:1, Ramapo College offers students an individualized learning experience.

Our students are able to build meaningful, close-working relationships with faculty members through mentorship, collaboration and research opportunities. Ramapo College offers over 36 undergraduate majors, bachelor’s degree completion options, and part-time graduate programs.

Ramapo College is ranked: • Top three in NJ & the #1 NJ public institution by College Choice • A “Best College Value” by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance • A “Best Value” by Princeton Review • A “Best Regional Public University North” by U.S. News & World Report • #1 Best Dorms in New Jersey by Niche.com

Learn more at: www.ramapo.edu/arch or 201-684-7300

Y OF T ES

UR

CO O:

OT

PH

Loni Love’s Journey From College Co-Ed to AwardWinning Comedian

LO N I LO V E

MEDIAPLANET | 7

who came out of that sorority.” In addition to connecting her with a strong sisterhood and alumni network that followed her past graduation, the sorority helped her learn to get along with many different students. “You have to plan events,” she shares, “and that meant we had to work with other organizations and schools.”

In the college band, Love got the chance to travel to other colleges and, as she puts it, “interface with different types of students.”

Today, Love is active with her alumni organization and passionate about providing opportunities for underprivileged kids to pursue higher education. Love urges women considering college to figure out what type of school will be the right fit for their educational and social experience.

“Sometimes it might be a smaller college instead of a huge university.” For women pursuing engineering degrees, Love suggests checking to make sure there are organizations that support female engineers on campus. She notes that if you’re already enrolled in college and can’t find such groups, you should start one yourself.

“College students are trying to study, learn and graduate,” notes Love. But time at a university is also a wonderful opportunity to broaden your networks and try new opportunities. You never know where those opportunities might take you after school — maybe even to prime-time TV. n Emily Gawlak