The Effects of Conceptualization of Diversity in College Mission Statements

Abstract

Racial disproportionality in the student body of universities is well-known. However, the ways in which universities address and talk about diversity is not well understood. The present research investigates the conceptualization universities have on diversity and how that can be translated to young adults. Specifically, we tested what diversity ideology was most common for universities to endorse in their public statements. We also tested for how the different ideologies affect how much minorities versus whites feel they belong or like a hypothetical university. We found that universities tend to use ideologies on opposite ends of the spectrum more commonly and that there is a racial difference with how the ideologies affect sense of belonging and liking. Though we came to support our overall hypothesis, the results suggest there is still many more complexities behind diversity conceptualization that must be investigated in order to better provide for the whole student body in academic institutions.

Keywords: perception, education, university, college, diversity, race, colorblind ideology, multicultural ideology, collective merit ideology, restorative justice ideology, racism, racial bias, identity centrality, mission statements