2008 Woodie Awards
SectionsSurvey suggests need for more diverse interaction
Ashley Bath
Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
Higher education is certainly not the only thing minority students are looking for in college. The Chronicle of Higher Education published a recent survey of minority students that found 74 percent thought colleges should put more effort into bringing together students from different races and backgrounds to socialize and study.
According to the survey, 64 percent polled said diversity interaction played at least a significant role when they were choosing a college to attend. After attending college, 24 percent of those polled said they saw more "interaction between racial and ethnic groups" than they expected. Sixteen percent said they saw less than they expected.
How does this translate to Missouri State University? More than anything, it is a tool the college could use to reevaluate their programs and efforts in providing a diverse and multicultural college experience for all of its students.
In the fall 2005 semester, Missouri State enrolled 1,126 minority students with 492 non-resident aliens. There are also 79 countries from around the world represented.
The college offers a variety of groups and organizations for minority and international students. The Multi-cultural Resource Center is the department that keeps tabs on such organizations, providing students with information on campus diversity and ways to get involved with other ethnic or cultural groups.
One particular group is the Association of International Students. This group works specifically with international students as a way for them to transition to life in America and at Missouri State.
Namik Geydarov, Public Relations Chair for AIS, agrees with the results of survey. He said Missouri State could do more to bring together the diverse population of the campus. Geydarov said 760 international students are currently enrolled this semester, which is a 50 percent increase since last year.
"We should get more recognition for being here, both financially and socially" Geydarov said.
However, while ethnic diversity in a college campus is important to Geydarov, it did not play a significant role in his decision in enrolling here. "Education is my number one priority."
He wanted to earn his Master's degree and found that Missouri State was the more affordable choice for his program.
For more information on Missouri State's multicultural clubs and events contact the Multicultural Resource Center in Carrington Hall 302, by phone at 417-836-6618 or visit their Web site at the Missouri State homepage.
According to the survey, 64 percent polled said diversity interaction played at least a significant role when they were choosing a college to attend. After attending college, 24 percent of those polled said they saw more "interaction between racial and ethnic groups" than they expected. Sixteen percent said they saw less than they expected.
How does this translate to Missouri State University? More than anything, it is a tool the college could use to reevaluate their programs and efforts in providing a diverse and multicultural college experience for all of its students.
In the fall 2005 semester, Missouri State enrolled 1,126 minority students with 492 non-resident aliens. There are also 79 countries from around the world represented.
The college offers a variety of groups and organizations for minority and international students. The Multi-cultural Resource Center is the department that keeps tabs on such organizations, providing students with information on campus diversity and ways to get involved with other ethnic or cultural groups.
One particular group is the Association of International Students. This group works specifically with international students as a way for them to transition to life in America and at Missouri State.
Namik Geydarov, Public Relations Chair for AIS, agrees with the results of survey. He said Missouri State could do more to bring together the diverse population of the campus. Geydarov said 760 international students are currently enrolled this semester, which is a 50 percent increase since last year.
"We should get more recognition for being here, both financially and socially" Geydarov said.
However, while ethnic diversity in a college campus is important to Geydarov, it did not play a significant role in his decision in enrolling here. "Education is my number one priority."
He wanted to earn his Master's degree and found that Missouri State was the more affordable choice for his program.
For more information on Missouri State's multicultural clubs and events contact the Multicultural Resource Center in Carrington Hall 302, by phone at 417-836-6618 or visit their Web site at the Missouri State homepage.
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