A recent study published by the Hispanic Journal of Law and Policy has revealed that the levels of faculty diversity in American universities are barely above the legal minimum. This revelation has raised concerns about the quality and inclusiveness of higher education in the United States.
According to Julian Vasquez Heilig, the new dean of the University of Kentucky College of Education, and co-author of the study:
Despite concerted efforts, we really haven’t moved the needle that much in terms of ethno-racial and gender diversity.
The study is based on government data gathered between 2013 and 2017. The motivation behind this study, according to Mr. Vasquez Heilig, was to introduce statistical data to the discussion on faculty diversity in higher education.
After a detailed analysis of the data sets, Mr. Vasquez Heilig and his colleagues found out that the lack of diversity among faculty members is predominant in research-focused institutions. The increase of tenured African-American professors in universities with a more substantial focus on research is only one-tenth of a percent over the four years covered by the federal data sets.
In terms of gender diversity, the data shows that there is a better development in this aspect. The number of women holding tenure positions in research-focused universities has increased by almost two percent (1.7%) over four years.
The conclusions of this study are a serious cause for concern as a well-diversified faculty team is one of the necessary criteria for wholesome education. By publishing this study, Mr. Vasquez Heilig and his colleagues aim to raise awareness about this problem and possibly be an engine of change.
