Diversity in Higher Education

Seth Reeves

More and more colleges and universities have diverse student populations now than ever before. This statement makes sense seeing as how America's own population is more diverse now than in its entire history. There could not be a better example than Georgia Tech. There are 79 countries represented at Tech and every state in the United States is represented as well. This is an astounding fact that one couldn't find at many other universities across the country. But is a diverse student population good for students and doing well in school?

There has been much research about whether diversity will actually help students enjoy a better college experience while also becoming more successful in the classroom. Studies have actually shown that, "Socializing with someone of a different racial group or discussing racial issues contributes to the student's academic development, satisfaction with college, level of cultural awareness, and commitment to promoting racial understanding...." To learn more click here.

So now the only question left to discuss is whether or not students are taking the risks to get out of their comfort zones and meet new people of different ethnicities in college. Many reasons why some students are never able to do this is that they allow themselves to make first impressions of people, and judge them without really getting to know them. Through personal experience I can say that it is worth the risk of getting to know other people of a different race than your own. There is not a better time or place to do it than now at one of the most diverse schools in the country, Georgia Tech. My advice would be to branch out, get to know other people, and experience the diversity at Georgia Tech. You will probably have an overall better college experience and make better grades by just interacting with other people of different ethnicities. So why not try ? It's not like America is going to get any less diverse in the future anyways.