Trends in Campus Diversity

In a nation known for its melting-pot-like demographic, higher education is experiencing its own ups and downs regarding student diversity. Nationwide, more disabled students are attending universities than ever before, yet combined Hispanic and African American student enrollment has risen on average only 5 percent within the past decade. We break down the status of diversity on campus:

Spike in Disabled Student Attendance
In 2002, only four U.S. universities offered specialized programs for students with mental disabilities. Today, it’s reported that almost 250 schools now offer specialized programs due to more grant money assigned from the federal government. Students with Down syndrome, autism and other mental and physical disabilities are flocking to campuses, many times taking classes and participating in group projects with non-disabled classmates.

These college programs aim to give disabled students an opportunity to seek higher- level jobs and be more successful in future careers. And with the government infusing more money into grants and work-study awards for these students, it’s only a matter of time until post-secondary programs become stronger for our disabled youth.

Progress Flatlines in Racial and Ethnic Groups
While Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic in the country, they reach lower levels of educational achievement than African Americans, Asian Americans and whites. According to the Minorities in Higher Education 2010 report conducted by the American Council on Education (ACE), Hispanics face a number of hurdles that deter them from enrolling in U.S. institutions, including language barriers, interrupted schooling and a lack of high school credentials. With nearly 47 million Hispanics now residing in the U.S., this educational lag is attracting attention that could lead to distribution of additional resources.

And the Hispanic population is not alone: African Americans are also a foothold behind whites and Asian Americans when it comes to education. While post-secondary enrollment has increased from 12 percent in the past decade alone, only 73 percent of African Americans reach graduation in four-year institutions. The percentage drops to 47 percent for those enrolled in two-year institutions.

LGBT Students Fight Another Battle
And what about gender minorities, you ask? The 2010 State of Higher Education for LGBT People -- written by Campus Pride’s Q Research Institute for Higher Education -- revealed that lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer students were more likely than heterosexual students to have seriously considered leaving their institution as a result of harassment and discrimination. This comes as no surprise: According to CampusPride.org, nearly one-third of students in a gender minority have faced harassment of some sort -- 89 percent accounting for derogatory verbal remarks -- and a little over 40 percent of students claim their universities did not do enough to address homophobic issues. Discouraging statistics for advocates of college campus diversity, for sure.

For more insight on the effects of discriminatory behavior, read on: “Campus Suicides: Reality Check.”