Community Colleges Often Lead the Way In Diversity Efforts
By Walter G. Bumphus and John E. Roueche
American community colleges now enroll well over half of the nation’s
undergraduate students. Perhaps more important than the sheer number of students attending these open-access institutions is the reality that community colleges represent the higher education point of entry for the majority of minority students.
They also represent the major point of entry for returning mothers, students learning English as a second language, first-generation students and many other students who need mentoring, advising and quality teaching.
Given the incredible diversity found on the average community college campus, it is not surprising that virtually every community college governing board states among their goals that their faculty, staff and administrators should reflect the diversity of the campus and the community. Many state universities have also embraced this diversity goal.
