Spring Break
College of Education focuses on retention through diversity
College of Education hosts community forum to discuss retention and diversity
Majeed Badizadegan
Issue date: 5/25/07 Section: News
"When I think about retention I think, 'why do students and faculty stay [at OSU] and can we provide an environment where people want to stay?'" said Joanna Means, a graduate student in the college of student services administration program.
Means was part of a small group of students and faculty who gathered in room 129 of Education Hall Thursday to discuss the College of Education's Diversity Action Plan with a special focus on retention at OSU.
The event was open to students and faculty and similar events take place once time per month.
Rich Shintaku, event organizer and department chair for adult education and higher education leadership, said the College of Education worked harder this year for recognizing diversity.
"Although ongoing for the last three years, the College of Education has embarked on a more strategic plan on diversity," Shintaku said.
"[OSU] loses students and faculty for a variety of reasons," Shintaku said. "They may not feel welcomed, included, or that they have equal access."
College campuses nationwide have a diverse student population. Each university deals with diversity differently, but universities tend to recognize the importance of retention of its students and how this is closely related to welcoming diversity.
Nora Cohen, teacher and counselor education associate professor, said some students may have a hard time coping with feeling that they belong at OSU.
"It has been very difficult because of their diversity to feel welcome on campus," Cohen said.
Ken Winograd, an associate professor in the department of teacher and counselor education, asked, "What are the best practices in retaining diverse populations?"
The group agreed that there are some organizational policies in different institutions that are effective. Winograd suggested that retaining diverse populations could be successful if actions are modeled after other successful policies.
"[It's important] to educate the Corvallis community about those with diverse backgrounds," Means said.
Future plans for renovation of the College of Education were also discussed. Means suggested the building should be culturally diverse.
Gene Newburgh said if students feel part of OSU and the community, they will be more inclined to stay.
"If they feel like they are a part of OSU, they are more likely to stay," said Newburgh, head adviser and director of student services of the college of education.
Shintaku said there are many aspects of diversity.
"Don't just look at only one aspect of diversity," he said. Newburgh added grouping people into a group is not a good thing.
"It is important to see every person for who they are, as an individual," Newburgh said.
Means was part of a small group of students and faculty who gathered in room 129 of Education Hall Thursday to discuss the College of Education's Diversity Action Plan with a special focus on retention at OSU.
The event was open to students and faculty and similar events take place once time per month.
Rich Shintaku, event organizer and department chair for adult education and higher education leadership, said the College of Education worked harder this year for recognizing diversity.
"Although ongoing for the last three years, the College of Education has embarked on a more strategic plan on diversity," Shintaku said.
"[OSU] loses students and faculty for a variety of reasons," Shintaku said. "They may not feel welcomed, included, or that they have equal access."
College campuses nationwide have a diverse student population. Each university deals with diversity differently, but universities tend to recognize the importance of retention of its students and how this is closely related to welcoming diversity.
Nora Cohen, teacher and counselor education associate professor, said some students may have a hard time coping with feeling that they belong at OSU.
"It has been very difficult because of their diversity to feel welcome on campus," Cohen said.
Ken Winograd, an associate professor in the department of teacher and counselor education, asked, "What are the best practices in retaining diverse populations?"
The group agreed that there are some organizational policies in different institutions that are effective. Winograd suggested that retaining diverse populations could be successful if actions are modeled after other successful policies.
"[It's important] to educate the Corvallis community about those with diverse backgrounds," Means said.
Future plans for renovation of the College of Education were also discussed. Means suggested the building should be culturally diverse.
Gene Newburgh said if students feel part of OSU and the community, they will be more inclined to stay.
"If they feel like they are a part of OSU, they are more likely to stay," said Newburgh, head adviser and director of student services of the college of education.
Shintaku said there are many aspects of diversity.
"Don't just look at only one aspect of diversity," he said. Newburgh added grouping people into a group is not a good thing.
"It is important to see every person for who they are, as an individual," Newburgh said.
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