Description
In this reprint from 2009, Smith (education and psychology, Claremont Graduate U.) synthesizes research from various disciplines and lessons from practice to illustrate the status of diversity in higher education and what is being learned about the conditions needed for developing effective and sustainable strategies. Arguing that diversity is central to institutional effectiveness, excellence, and viability, she discusses how it is linked to issues like immigration, inequities, the formation of nation-states, injustice, and creating effective workplaces, and how it is informed by identity. She proposes a way of understanding diversity that includes both inclusive and differentiated concepts, and describes diversity in higher education over the past 40 years; the need to identify talent in higher education, particularly in faculty diversity, and establish effective intergroup relationships at every level, and the conditions for student success; and building capacity over the long term through monitoring progress and other recommendations. Annotation ©2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
Read More
"Daryl G. Smith's career has been devoted to studying and fostering diversity in higher education. She has witnessed and encouraged the evolution of diversity from an issue addressed sporadically on college campuses to an imperative if institutions want to succeed. In this second edition of Diversity's Promise for Higher Education, Smith emphasizes a transdisciplinary approach to the topic of diversity, drawing on an updated list of sources from a wealth of literatures and fields. She claims with optimism, "when the conclusions from a wide variety of studies, using different methodologies, begin to converge, we may apply the results with some confidence." Smith responds to recent criticism of diversity efforts on campuses as a convoluted list of grievances without focus on the historic issue of inequity by making explicit the central relationship between diversity and equity. To become more relevant to society, the nation, and the world while remaining true to their core mission, higher education institutions must begin to see diversity as central to teaching and research. She argues that institutions can pursue diversity efforts that are inclusive of the varied - and growing - issues apparent on campuses without losing focus. This thoughtful volume draws on 50 years of diversity studies. It offers students, researchers, and administrators an innovative approach to developing and instituting effective and sustainable diversity strategies"--
Read Less