2008 Woodie Awards
Campus Diversity Is Growing
Jeff Lavery
Issue date: 9/18/03 Section: News Stories
- Page 1 of 1
Very often, the issue of diversity at Assumption College is quietly dealt with, and does not even enter the discussion of most Assumption students. This year, however, there has been a large increase in the number of minority students attending the small, liberal arts college many of us call home. This can be seen most predominantly in this year's freshmen class, where a wide range of subcultures and backgrounds have finally begun to shape Assumption's campus.
In order to help gather the myriad of cultures that are represented in the Class of 2007, Mario Silva, Director of Multicultural Affairs, and Andrew Fletcher, Assistant Dean of Admissions, have been actively recruiting students from areas that typically have not been drawn to small, private institutions in the Northeast.
By entering into inner city areas, such as Hartford, Boston, Worcester, New Haven, and even parts of New York, they can reach a 'critical mass'-that is, a diverse collection of students who would help expand the horizons of the Assumption community, and garner the College a larger audience of potential students than it typically has drawn.
There has also been rapid development in the creation of programs in which specific counselors from Assumption focus on certain areas. For example, one counselor may hone in on Waterbury, while another may dedicate their time to Providence. This way, Assumption can create an intricate connection with other counselors in those areas, who, in turn, can expand Assumption's possibilities toward drawing more students from a wider community of cultures. This helps Assumption to further develop its relationships with students included in that critical mass.
For the future of diversity on campus, both Silva and Fletcher see only the brightest possibilities. Silva pointed out that the benefits are endless for the population of Assumption becoming one full of different cultures and backgrounds. Not only will it benefit the student body while at Assumption, but also beyond their days here, when they will find themselves competing in a global economy.
"As an alumnus, I know that education alone does not prepare you, but also the development of an awareness and sensitivity to other subcultures," said Silva. "We live in a world economy, which deals with all cultures, not just a particular segment of the population."
He also felt confident in the role assigned to this year's student leaders, to reach out and aid in the development of a multi-cultured Assumption. This role will require the majority students to come out of their 'comfort zone' and seize the golden opportunity to learn about others and their cultures. This will help lead Assumption into a future that continues to expand the horizons not only of the students, but also of the college itself.
"The College will not be taking a step back," said Fletcher. "There are only advantages to the continued growth and diversity of Assumption College, and it will strengthen the academic process as a whole in helping us to learn more about each other."
In order to help gather the myriad of cultures that are represented in the Class of 2007, Mario Silva, Director of Multicultural Affairs, and Andrew Fletcher, Assistant Dean of Admissions, have been actively recruiting students from areas that typically have not been drawn to small, private institutions in the Northeast.
By entering into inner city areas, such as Hartford, Boston, Worcester, New Haven, and even parts of New York, they can reach a 'critical mass'-that is, a diverse collection of students who would help expand the horizons of the Assumption community, and garner the College a larger audience of potential students than it typically has drawn.
There has also been rapid development in the creation of programs in which specific counselors from Assumption focus on certain areas. For example, one counselor may hone in on Waterbury, while another may dedicate their time to Providence. This way, Assumption can create an intricate connection with other counselors in those areas, who, in turn, can expand Assumption's possibilities toward drawing more students from a wider community of cultures. This helps Assumption to further develop its relationships with students included in that critical mass.
For the future of diversity on campus, both Silva and Fletcher see only the brightest possibilities. Silva pointed out that the benefits are endless for the population of Assumption becoming one full of different cultures and backgrounds. Not only will it benefit the student body while at Assumption, but also beyond their days here, when they will find themselves competing in a global economy.
"As an alumnus, I know that education alone does not prepare you, but also the development of an awareness and sensitivity to other subcultures," said Silva. "We live in a world economy, which deals with all cultures, not just a particular segment of the population."
He also felt confident in the role assigned to this year's student leaders, to reach out and aid in the development of a multi-cultured Assumption. This role will require the majority students to come out of their 'comfort zone' and seize the golden opportunity to learn about others and their cultures. This will help lead Assumption into a future that continues to expand the horizons not only of the students, but also of the college itself.
"The College will not be taking a step back," said Fletcher. "There are only advantages to the continued growth and diversity of Assumption College, and it will strengthen the academic process as a whole in helping us to learn more about each other."