Dr. Harvey-Smith shared a vision with PTC, and with that vision, the Strategic Plan was born. There are many steps within the plan that will lead PTC to a higher standard. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion particularly come into play with Strategic Direction 2: Expanding Access. While we focus on expanding access, it’s important that we know and understand the meaning of the two words we hear so frequently: Diversity and Minority.
Per Oxford Languages Dictionary, diversity is “the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.” There are seven types of diversity: cultural, racial, religious, age, sex/gender, sexual orientation, and disability.
But what classifies a person as a minority? According “America’s Racial and Ethnic Minorities” from the Population Reference Bureau (PRB) in Washington, DC, “ the term ‘minority’ usually refers to four major racial and ethnic groups: African Americans, American Indians and Alaska Natives, Asians and Pacific Islanders, and Hispanics.”
Knowing the definitions of Diversity and a Minority can help us move forward with expanding access to all prospective students better understand the mission of the DEI Task Force
You are encouraged to review these suggested articles at your leisure that further expand on the terms above.
Crystal Santiful
Admissions – Outreach/Success Advisor