Checklist For Success

Diversity

Know that successful college students have strong skills in understanding, appreciating, and embracing diversity. Given the growing diversity of the American workforce, most employers now hold these skills as an expectation, too. It is just good business.

Gain an understanding of the various differences you will encounter in college. Beyond race, ethnicity, culture, and religion are differences in age, economic status, gender, sexuality, and physical and learning abilities. In college, you have the opportunity to learn from many kinds of people, and these experiences will likely affect any stereotypes you have brought to college with you.

Use college as the ideal environment to learn about and get to know people who are different from you. Practice acknowledging and respecting other people, even if you don’t agree with them.

Take advantage of opportunities to enroll in courses designed to expose you to a wide range of topics and issues. You can and should study diverse people and diverse ideas in both the curriculum and the co-curriculum.

Be alert for examples of racism and discrimination. College is a microcosm of our society. You may, therefore, see examples of discrimination, prejudice, and insensitivity on your campus. Become aware of what you can do to combat hate on campus.

Don’t fear diversity. The best students allow themselves to break out of their comfort zones and be challenged by new people and new experiences.