Top 30 US unis & colleges fighting racism to advance equality

The US has identified the top universities and colleges that are working hard to fight racism and advance equality by promoting ethnic awareness.

Thanks to extensive research and a carefully developed methodology, the Great Value Colleges (GVC) platform has ranked the top 30 educational institutions in America that have exceptional programmes and initiatives to ensure their campuses are diverse and inclusive for both students and staff.

According to GVC, race should not define someone’s ability to gain an education and a fulfilling career. However, it recognises that there is a huge racial divide when it comes to educational achievement in the US. There are a range of issues that makes it difficult for minorities to gain an education in America. Therefore, colleges and universities across the country are trying to implement a range of solutions to eliminate racism in both society and education. 

CREATING INCLUSIVE CAMPUSES

“In this time of chaos and division this country is experiencing, diversity has never been more important,” stated GVC Editor Julie McCaulley. “Colleges, Universities and students have the potential to be at the forefront of change. As schools find more and more ways to promote diversity and inclusion, they offer us a roadmap to get this country to a place of strength and unity. A place it should have arrived at a long time ago.”

GVC’s ranking highlights how 30 colleges/universities are aiming to make the US an equal society by supporting minorities, implementing anti-racism practices and creating more inclusive campuses.

TOP 30 UNIS & COLLEGES

The top 30 universities and colleges in the US at the forefront of promoting equality, as ranked by GVC, are:

1. The University of Texas at Austin
2. Columbia University
3. Brown University
4. Indiana University Bloomington
5. University of Kentucky
6. Florida State University
7. University of Maryland, College Patk
8. University of Cincinnati
9. Georgia State University
10. Virginia Commonwealth University
11. Oklahoma State University
12. University of South Carolina
13. University of Pennsylvania
14. Texas A&M University
15. Southern Methodist University
16. Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
17. Medical University of South Carolina
18. University of Michigan
19. Rochester Institute of Technology
20. The University of Iowa
21. The University of Alabama at Birmingham
22. California State University, Fullerton
23. Austin Community College
24. The University at Albany, State University of New York
25. Southwestern University
26. Andrews University
27. Adelphi University
28. University of North Florida
29. Clemson University
30. Agnes Scott College

OUTSTANDING DIVERSITY  INITIATIVES

The universities and colleges on the list have made great process thanks to years of initiatives and investment into diversity and equality initiatives. For example, Oklahoma State University has achieved a 99% increase in the number of minority students earning a bachelor’s degree in the last decade. Additionally since 2008, it’s been mandatory for all its undergraduate students to enroll on a diversity course.

The University of South Carolina’s efforts to address ethnic issues on and off-campus over the last few years have also paid off. Over the last decade, Hispanic student enrolment has shot up by 63%, African American student increased by 10.6%, and mixed-race up by 36.5%. 

Check out the diversity initiatives of all the universities and colleges that have secured a place on this year’s list here.