Preservation or Transformation: Where's the Real Educational Discourse on Diversity?

  • A discourse of transformation, unlike a discourse of preservation, creates even greater possibility for students learning and for meaningful and sustained democratic change.
  • To broaden the diversity discourse one must 1) give importance to historical context 2) give importance to thinking beyond admissions 3) give importance to recognizing transformative aims 4) give importance to a broader view of learning
  • Besides clarifying how best to conceptualize and maximize the benefits of diversity, a discourse, that aims to transform higher education will also assist institutions in pursuing diversity even under the worst-case scenario.
  • The diversity agenda is inextricably linked to the advancement of student learning and the democratization of institutions.