Collegiate Times

A recent analysis of population data revealed that the composition of collegiate students could drastically change in the next 15 years.

The data, provided by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education, stated that by 2022, almost half of all public high school graduates would be members of minority groups.

"More than likely, given that this is the key pipeline for future college enrollments, universities overall will most likely run more diverse, just as the high school classes run more diverse," said Brian Prescott, senior research analyst for WICHE.

The study, titled "Knocking at the College Door," was based off of birth rates, immigration patterns, and public school enrollment, and was conducted with intentions to aid colleges in planning for the increase in diversity during a time spanning from 1992 to 2022.

"Because the composition of public universities' enrollment is going to most likely change and grow more diverse," Prescott said, "it presents challenges that require institutions and policy makers to craft solutions to respond to that."

Ray Plaza, director of Diversity Initiatives in the Office of Multicultural Affairs, said one way to do this is to increase the number of minority faculty and staff members on campus.  He said that this would provide a sense of comfort for minority students to "see a face like theirs."

The projections by WICHE show that the white or non-Hispanic high school graduation rate, which is at about 68 percent, will drop to under 58 percent as the Hispanic graduation rate increases within 15 years.  The graduation rate of Asians and Pacific Islanders is also expected to experience a continued growth.

Many of those involved with diversity initiatives throughout the country seek a college student population that is directly proportional to that institution's regional surroundings. "That's a goal that we should strive for," Prescott said.  "But we do want to ensure that students are qualified to do the work once they get to college."

Many of the minorities easing into the public universities over the coming years will also be first-generation college students. "This means they don't have as much guidance in their home to get through college," Prescott said. Mildred Johnson, acting director for the office of undergraduate admissions said that Tech has already seen a significant rise in Hispanic applicants since her arrival to the university in 1995 and feels this aspect of diversity is a positive shift for the student body. "I feel like diversity brings different life experiences to the campus, and those voices provide a richer dialogue both inside and outside the classroom."

The admissions office uses a "holistic review" when evaluating applicants, Johnson said, and the underrepresented ethnicity of an applicant will contribute to this review.

"If you ask me what our goal would be for the next five years, it would be to continue to recruit a freshman class that is both strong academically and strong in diversity," Johnson said.