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DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION IN AMERICAN HIGHER EDUCATION 11

Diversity and Inclusion in American Higher Education

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Abstract

Diversity and inclusion in American higher education have been a topic of discussion for quite some time. There have been discussions on the effectiveness and role of diversity and inclusion in higher learning institutions in the US. Therefore, this research paper gives a thorough review of the issue of diversity and inclusion in American higher institutions, with analysis of history, coupled with biblical worldview perspectives. The research paper will discuss the importance of the topic, significance, and impact. Additionally, the paper will discuss the issues of diversity and inclusion in American higher learning institutions based on biblical worldview and scriptures. Diversity and inclusion are still an issue in American schools, and they need to be addressed accordingly for effectiveness.

Introduction

Different researchers have researched the issue of diversity and inclusion in American higher education since independence. The researchers have been identifying the issues facing students from different ethnicities in the US and how they can be addressed adequately. The truth meter is that the US government and its agencies have been taking significant measures and implementing feasible strategies to ensure that the issue of diversity and inclusion is tackled appropriately. The policies and steps taken have been continued to be embraced, but not to the fullest up to now (Takami, 2018). Thorough research and analysis show that diversity and inclusion in the US remains an issue up to now. All the concerned parties in society have not implemented the efforts taken by the government to promote diversity and inclusion in higher learning institutions. Omercajic and Martino (2020) note that the whites Americans have a higher graduation rate than other races, including the Blacks, Hispanics and Asians students. The primary reason behind the lower graduation rates among the American races is inadequacy and ineffectiveness in diversity and inclusion strategies. The American government aims to promote equal education and job opportunities for all Americans (Takami, 2018). The US government must address the issue of diversity and inclusion in higher learning institutions accordingly to promote achievability and effectiveness of equal education opportunities to all. The research paper will discuss the strategies and measures that can be implemented to enhance diversity and inclusion in American higher learning institutions with a focus on history and biblical worldview perspectives.

Importance

Multiculturalism in education plays a crucial role in enhancing diversity and inclusion in higher learning institutions. Inclusion and diversity are significant in all areas of life, including the workplace, where productivity is pivotal. It is therefore crucial for higher learning institutions to observe diversity and inclusion in enrollment and programming, as doing so will promote a more innovative learning environment, shoving learners to experience varying perspectives and prepare them for life after graduation (Abdul Rahman & Alwi, 2018). A report released by US Department of Education, student-body diversity and inclusion in higher learning is crucial not only for improving educational opportunities and economy for learners of colour but also for educational, societal and social benefits it presents to communities and students (Abdul Rahman & Alwi, 2018). The same report also stresses that higher education advances the social mobility of minorities; on average, the Hispanics and African Americans.

Over the past 50 years, the United States has witnessed ethnic and racial disparities in higher education enrolment and accomplishment, as well as gaps in employment, earnings and other connected outcomes for communities of colour. The enrollment rate for the high school diploma has increased over time for people of colour. However, the gap for the attainment of bachelor's degree has expanded for both Hispanic and black adults compared to white adults (Abdul Rahman & Alwi, 2018). Particularly the gap for the attainment of bachelor's degree has doubled from nine to twenty per cent for Hispanic dwellers since 1974, and from six to thirteen per cent for black dwellers from 1964. Research has shown that the inadequacy of diversity and inclusion measures has widened the gap further (Abdul Rahman & Alwi, 2018).

The laws on discrimination and inclusion are founded on the ideas of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Schools are required to adhere to federal and state laws on diversity and inclusion. Most of the rules on diversity and inclusion are linked to discrimination regulations. Cases of discrimination in higher education are minimal. However, they do occur (Omercajic & Martino, 2020). Some students with special needs have been quoted, saying that they have experienced some form of discrimination. It is worth noting that diversity and inclusion cannot be enhanced as useful if discrimination is not adequately controlled.

Significance

According to Abdul Rahman and Alwi (2018), gaps experienced in college opportunity have contributed to decreased social mobility in the US. Moreover, the gaps in college opportunity are, in turn, influenced by the inefficiency of diversity and inclusion strategies. People of colour, as well as those with special learning needs, share similar childhood and educational experiences with first-generation and low-income students. The principal cause behind the diversity and inclusion issues in higher education is critical segregation in lower learning levels. The government is still doing it best to bring an end to racial discrimination which has been experienced in some elementary and high school (Wang, 2019). The topic under discussion is therefore essential in helping teachers, administrators, politicians and the government at large to come up with better measures and strategies of ending racial segregation. The topic under study also shows the existing gaps in higher education that have to be addressed appropriately to enhance diversity and inclusion.

Impact

Research has shown that the participation of underrepresented learners of colour reduces at different points across the higher education channel including application, admittance, enrollment, perseverance and completion. As compared to the whites, a smaller proportion of Hispanic or black high schools graduates enrol to higher education. Additionally, approximately 80% of Asian, black and Hispanic students have a gap between their grants and financial need and scholarships, as compared to 71% of white undergraduate learners (Takami, 2018). Furthermore, the rates of degree completion are lower among Hispanic and black students than whites and Asian students.

The question of the role that the government plays and has to play in promoting access to college education among students of colour has not been answered. Students of colour require financial support, which is one of the significant issues they are facing (Wang, 2019). Diversity and inclusion strategies cannot be effective without adequate funding from the government. Diversity and inclusion in higher education can be achieved by ensuring that there is no disparity in the rate of enrollment, admission and completion for the white students and students of colour (Wang, 2019). The US government still has a role to play to make universal education for all achievable. The gaps between the white students and students of colour should be identified and resolved through the association of government, education agencies, and human society as a whole.

Biblical Worldview

The Bible offers answers to almost every problem faced by humankind. God knows the importance of diversity and inclusion, and this is the reason as to why he created everything with uniqueness. Every person is designed uniquely, such that everyone has personal strengths and weaknesses (Allen, 2018). According to the Bible, everyone should be allowed to grow. Diversity and inclusion are therefore meant for growth and development in human society, and not as points of separation or discrimination. People should consequently build others and support them in the best way they can as the humankind is after success and not a competition with one another (Allen, 2018).

The book of Revelation 7:9 shows how God values diversity and inclusion in the world. The multitude that was before the Lamb was from all parts of the world, and it was hard to be counted. The book of James 2:1-26 also shows the importance of diversity and inclusion by urging the human race to respect and donate to the less fortunate. The same book emphasizes on helping and not judging others at all as only God is perfect. The issue of disparity in access to higher education should be a concern to every Christian as Christians are called to help others and resolve the problems of human society. Romans 12:16 and Malachi 2:10 encourage the human race to live harmoniously with others as we have one origin, destiny and most importantly, the same father. The Bible shows that diversity and inclusion require the input of everyone in society, especially those in power as they have been called by God to serve others.

Conclusion

The paper has adequately discussed the strategies and measures that can be taken to promote diversity and inclusion in higher education. Moreover, the paper has fundamentally looked at the importance, significance and impact of diversity and inclusion in higher education with a focus on history and biblical worldview perspective. Diversity and inclusion in higher education remain an issue that requires the intervention of leaders and government agencies to address it. It is the high time for humanity to understand that everyone has something to offer in the world, and what is required is a chance and a platform to so. Allowing everyone to access higher education without difficulties will make the world a better place. Students of colour are the same as the whites, and they can even do better if given resources and other help that they need to achieve their educational goals. Most of the students of colour who have failed to access higher education come from low-income families that cannot afford to pay their learning expenses. The government should ship in and provide learner from low-income families with financial support that will make them access higher education. History as it that the minorities in the US have not yet achieved full independence as discrimination is still an issue. As noted earlier on, bias needs to be ended for diversity and inclusion in higher education to be completed fully. Application of the biblical worldview perspectives can aid in promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education. Christians are called upon to lead others in the best way as they are serving God, the creator. Therefore, the government and leaders should come up with better ways to promote diversity and inclusion in higher education.

References

Abdul Rahman, S., & Alwi, A. (2018). The Inclusion of Cultural Diversity in Higher Education Curriculum Design. International Journal of Contemporary Educational Research, 5(2), 87-94. https://doi.org/10.33200/ijcer.479054

Allen, P. (2018). Eastern Orthodox Christianity and American Higher Education: Theological, Historical, and Contemporary Reflections. International Journal of Christianity & Education, 22(2), 187-188. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056997118763567

Takami, L. (2018). Dr Becky Petitt Works Toward Diversity and Inclusion. Women in Higher Education, 27(4), 1-2. https://doi.org/10.1002/whe.20554

Omercajic, K., & Martino, W. (2020). Supporting Transgender Inclusion and Gender Diversity in Schools: A Critical Policy Analysis. Frontiers In Sociology, 5. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsoc.2020.00027

Wang, N. (2019). How Do Asians Fit Into the American College of Cardiology’s Diversity and Inclusion Initiative? Journal of The American College Of Cardiology, 74(2), 257-260. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacc.2019.05.015