The University of Central Florida may not immediately be associated with being the premier institution of higher education in its state, but that’s all part of its underdog appeal.
In the past two decades, the University of Central Florida (UCF) tripled its enrollment numbers to 63,000 students last fall, quietly becoming the largest undergraduate institution in the country. UCF has one of the most diverse college campuses, too. With community college partnerships, UCF boasts a thriving group of first-generation college alumni and is also expected to reach Hispanic-serving institution status (at least 25 percent of the student population of Hispanic heritage) in the next few years.
Overall, UCF has a racial/ethnic minority enrollment of around 45 percent. I spoke with UCF’s Chief Diversity Officer Karen Morrison about the great strides this rapidly growing public university is making in the state of Florida, and beyond.
Question: How does being in a metropolitan setting influence diversity?
Answer: At UCF we like to talk about being “of the community” not just “in the community.” Orlando is very diverse and one of the fastest-growing metropolitan areas in the U.S. That growing, changing community contributes to UCF’s diversity and effort to build an inclusive culture.
Q: How is UCF finding ways to make college affordable for minorities and other underserved populations?
A: We continue to hold our tuition and fees at very affordable rates and are listed in U.S. News & World Report’s Top 50 most affordable in the nation. We have regional campuses that allow working students to pursue degrees in their own communities.
