Diversity Hiring Initiatives in Higher Education
Higher education workers place significant value on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives
According to PEW research center research, 60% of minority workers in higher education agree that DEI is very important to them, while 27% say that it is somewhat important to them. White higher education workers also share similar opinions with 37% polled saying they agree DEI is very important, and another 37% saying it’s somewhat important. Of workers in general, 56% say that focusing on DEI initiatives at work is a good thing. With so many workers placing value on diversity-based initiatives, what are higher education institutions doing to ensure inclusivity?
At the federal level, there have been several grants established in the last three years to support historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). In total, over $16 billion has been granted to these HBCU’s to be utilized for improving academic programs, recovering from financial setbacks caused by COVID-19, increasing research in sectors such as health and engineering, and improving access to technology on campus. HBCU faculties are very diverse, and Forbes reports on a study that found that, on average, the racial make-up of these faculties are 56% African American or Black, 24% White, 9.5% Asian, 2.5% Hispanic, and less than 1% Indigenous or reporting two or more races. By supporting these educational facilities, HBCU’s can provide opportunities for a diverse range of higher education workers.
However, when it comes to faculty and staff on all higher education campuses, there is still a noticeable lack in diversity. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2022 the racial make-up of all faculty types in the US are 65% White, 11% Asian/Pacific Islander, 6% Black, 0.4% Native American/Alaska Native, and 0.1% Pacific Islander. Recent bills signed in multiple U.S. States have restricted DEI programs on college and university campuses, increasing the difficulty of attracting and retaining a diverse workforce. However, this does not mean that these initiatives are gone for good in the affected states. Several campuses have reframed positions relating to DEI, but still share the same mission to fulfil diversity in hiring. Academic institutions like the University of North Carolina School System have adjusted their DEI-related policies but have not cut them out entirely.
We live in a multi-racial, multi-cultural nation
“Our analysis of the 2020 Census results show that the US population is much more multiracial, and more racially and ethnically diverse than what we measured in the past,” said Nicholas Jones, the director and senior advisor of race and ethnic research and outreach in the US Census Bureau’s population division. People of color represented 43% of the total US population in 2020, up from 34% in 2010. While the under-18 population decreased during the last decade, it is rapidly diversifying. Non-White US residents younger than 18 now make up 53% of the population among minors, up from 47% in 2010.
The shifting national demographics indicate that, for academic institutions to survive, they must attract muti-racial, multi-cultural students. These students are seeking educational experiences aligned with their values, delivered by a university staff that shares their racial, religious, and ethnic background.
To learn about creative DEI programs delivered by nextSource to some of the nation’s most prestigious universities, contact us.
