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Student Development Planning Goal #1
1994-2006

1. What is a visionary goal that your unit set? 

Support diverse students and create an Office of Diversity and International Student Services

The entire University has the goal of increasing the balance of students, staff and faculty from diverse backgrounds.  This is one of the core values of PLNU.  Student Development has also established the goal of improving support to diverse students, staff, and faculty so that the initial goal can be reached. 

2. What information and data did you use to set this goal? 

  • Institutional data (IPEDS collection) showing the ethnic and racial diversity among students, staff and faculty.
  • In 1996, Diversity Goals 2000 Recommendations was submitted to the President of the University. Among these goals were several related to increased support of diverse students (see Diversity Goals 2000 Recommendations).
  • The WASC report from PLNU’s 1996-97 accreditation review recommended that increased attention be given to diverse students and campus climate.
  • The Executive Summary of the Century II Commission Report on Student Experience of the Committee on Student Experience, August 1999, included numerous goals related to Diversity and the need for increased support of diverse students (see Executive Summary of the Century II Commission Report on Student Experience for an executive summary of the recommendations)
  • Ethnic and Cultural Diversity is a core value of the University

3. What actions did you take to try to reach this goal?

Between 1994-2000 the following steps were taken:

  • Proposed a standing committee on Diversity for the University.
  • In 1996 the University instituted a standing committee on Diversity (see Diversity Goals 2000 Recommendations).  Members of Student Development have taken an active role in the committee as the University community as a whole began to focus on increasing campus diversity.
  • Met regularly with alumni groups and the Hispanic Task Force
  • Developed with the other colleges and universities in San Diego the International Diversity Conference; conference income helped fund Diversity Scholarships.
  • Stimulated the development of the Black Student Union.
  • Proposed a scholarship to help attract students of diversity.
  • Developed a formal partnership with the San Diego Ministerial Alliance.
  • Parallel action in Admissions recognized the need to focus recruiting efforts on diversity and began to assign recruiting organization to staff with knowledge in this area.  As a part of this focus, the relationship with the International Diversity Conference and with the San Diego Ministerial Alliance had already been transferred to Admissions.

Between 2000-2006 the following steps were taken:

  • In the fall of 2000 the University funded a partial position for minority student support and Student Development funded the balance of the position as well as staff support.  The job title was Director of the Office of Students in Transition and Minority Support Programs (OSTMS).  This person was part of the Student Development Associates and reported directly to the Vice President for Student Development.
  • Fall, 2001, Director of OSTMS formed “Team Barnabus,” a peer mentoring program for Diverse students, particularly those who are first generation college students. Team Barnabus mentors live in the residence halls in proximity to their mentees.
  • In 2002, Director of OSTMS formed “MOSAIC,” (Multi-cultural Opportunities for Students Actively Involved in Community), an umbrella organization for the promotion and support of clubs and organizations devoted to cultural diversity.
  • Currently, the following clubs and organizations fall under the umbrella of MOSAIC: ALAS (Association of Latin American Students), BSU (Brothers and Sisters United), ASU (Asian Student Union), Huio Hawaii Club, International Club, Mu Kappa Club (for students from missionary families), SSJ (Students for Social Justice).
  • New Student Orientation, 2001, offered first Diversity Breakfast for new students, their families, and members of the PLNU community.
  • 2002-present, a student intern position has been funded to support the Director and MOSAIC endeavors
  • In Fall, 2003, Student Development formed the Student Engagement and Retention unit and concurrently formed the Office of Diversity and International Student Services. A full time Director is hired to lead this area. The Director reports to the Associate Vice President for Student Development. (note: Director of OSTMS left the University in Spring, 2002)
  • The Director chairs a committee that administers Diversity Leadership Scholarship funds, which are allocated to incoming and continuing diverse students who serve in leadership roles on campus.
  • President appoints members to new Diversity Task Force in Spring, 2004. Three members of Student Development are appointed to serve on the task force.
  • Fall, 2005, Gospel Choir, “Voices in Praise” is formed under the leadership of Director of Diversity and International Student Services.”

4. What progress did you make?

All efforts mentioned in #3 are present and being sustained.

5. What information and data did you use to evaluate your progress?

  • Much of the success in this time period came from raising campus awareness which lead to the creation of the Diversity Committee and more intentional recruiting efforts campus wide.
  • The faculty, student and staff race/ethnicity data collected for IPEDS
  • CIRP survey data (Institutional Research)
  • NSSE survey data (IR and Student Development)
  • Annual report prepared by Director of Diversity and International Student Services. This report documents utilization of all Diversity/MOSAIC related support services and programming. (Student Development)

Supporting Documents

Diversity Goals 2000 Recommendations
Executive Summary of the Century II Commission Report on Student Experience
Multi-cultural Opportunities for Students Actively Involved in Community (MOSAIC) Data
National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE) Data