Fall 2011 | Volume 35, No. 1

Why diversity?

Why is diversity important in college? Cornell sociology professor Tori Barnes-Brus '97 recommends an article published online on Aug. 12, 2009, in U.S. News & World Report by Aaron Thompson, coauthor with Joe Cuseo of Diversity and the College Experience. In short, these are his reasons:

1. Diversity expands worldliness.
2. Diversity enhances social development.
3. Diversity prepares students for future career success.
4. Diversity prepares students for work in a global society.
5. Interactions with people different from ourselves increase our knowledge base.
6. Diversity promotes creative thinking.
7. Diversity enhances self-awareness.
8. Diversity enriches the multiple perspectives developed by a liberal arts education.

Read the full article here.