But how does diversity and equality work out in education ― in the practice of teaching in higher education? Given the issues of equality and diversity within education, how, in today’s changing context, can we move on and teach these principles effectively?
To grapple with this issue, I spoke to Dr. Adriel A. Hilton, director of the College Student Personnel Program and assistant professor of college student personnel at Western Carolina University. Hilton served as past director for the Center for African American Research and Policy as well as assistant vice president for inclusion initiatives at Grand Valley State University. He also served as chief diversity officer and executive assistant to the president and assistant secretary to the board of trustees at Upper Iowa University.
Q: Concentrating on this issue of equality and diversity, first, let’s talk about how they are related. How do you see the relationship between equality and diversity in higher education?
A: I find it interesting that two words with contrasting meanings are used jointly as a way to improve higher education. Equality is synonymous with likeness, uniformity, fairness and homology; while diversity, on the other hand, means unlikeness, variance, mixed and heterogeneity. Yet, when the words are synced with higher education, they become mutually beneficial, having a powerful impact.
Much research has been done on the effects of diversity in higher education, concluding it has very positive effects on students. Exposure to diversity — whether it be cultural, race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or those with disabilities — provides students the opportunity to learn about and from each other, resulting in cognitive growth and citizenship.
The equality factor in higher education is to assure all students legally start off on a level playing field. Equity policies have evolved over the years — from the first affirmative action laws in the ’60s to the One Florida Initiative of the late ’90s to the Student Non-Discrimination Act of 2013. These laws were not intended to give preferential treatment, but [were and] are an effort to break down the barriers that discourage underrepresented populations from enrolling in college and suffering injustices in the workplace. These efforts are still widely debated, particularly quotas, but with colleges today focusing on promoting diversity, having some sort of equality policies in place on campus set expectations for students, faculty and staff. They set standards of respect and call for all students to view each other as equals and for faculty and staff to treat each student, regardless of his or her differences, the same.
