At both the national and local levels, White high school graduates are still much more likely to enroll in college—and to go on to graduate again—than minorities. Just like their K-12 school-reform counterparts, higher education policymakers are feverishly comparing notes about what works to increase diversity on campus and what can be replicated elsewhere.
They’d do well to pay a little attention to some Minnesota success stories. For almost the tenth consecutive year the number of minorities enrolled in the 17 four-year, liberal arts schools that belong to the Minnesota Private College Council has increased. This year, 17 percent of incoming freshmen statewide are minorities, as are nearly 23 percent of transfers.
That’s an increase of more than 112 percent over the last decade. The number of Latino students entering has increased an eye-popping 143 percent, while African-American enrollment is up almost 107 percent. And—just as crucial—the colleges are retaining more minorities from one year to the next.
So what’s going right? No one thing, according to administrators at some of the most successful schools. The growth is the result of some very deliberate efforts to recruit students of color, to make campuses welcoming places.
Making College a Welcoming Place
“It’s a combination of a lot of different programs,” explained Chuayi Yang, assistant director of the Multicultural Programs and Services Office at St. Catherine University, located in Minneapolis and St. Paul. “It’s important to feel like you’re part of the community right away, and throughout your whole first year.”
