Elson S. Floyd, Ph.D. - 11/7/07
Making Access Work
This past weekend, Washington State University hosted the annual Children of Aztlan Sharing Higher Education (CASHE) conference, which brings promising Chicano/Latino students to our campus.
The student volunteers who organized this conference deserve our thanks. Their enthusiasm, and the enthusiasm of the 200 or so students who attended, made it a great event. These educational recruiting efforts are important, not just for the students involved, or even just for our university, but for our state as a whole.
Similar to many other states, Washington is seeing its fastest growth among its minority population. The State of Washington Office of Financial Management predicts that from 2000 to 2030, members of minority groups will increase from 21 percent to 32 percent of state residents. The Hispanic population is the fastest-growing component, projected to grow from 7 to 13 percent of the state’s population during that period.
Hispanics currently have relatively low participation rates in higher education nationwide. A recent report from the American Council on Education found that between 1993-95 and 2003-05, the college participation rate for whites increased from 43 percent to 48 percent, while college participation for African Americans increased from 35 percent to 41 percent. The rate for Hispanic students showed slight improvement during the same period, growing from 35 percent to 37 percent.
Washington State University, indeed all universities, must address that issue. As the Baby Boomer generation moves toward retirement, our state’s economic future will be determined by the educational preparation that our next generation receives. And in the 21st Century economy, a college degree will become ever more vital to an individual’s success.
That’s why I have made access to higher education a primary theme of my presidency. I am glad to see that the Washington Higher Education Coordinating Board is also focused on the issue of access, as it holds hearings around the state to gather information for a new higher education master plan.
Events such as the CASHE conference help introduce high school students to college life, and send a clear message that college is possible for them.
Real access to higher education depends on students being prepared, through their K-12 experiences, to succeed and on colleges and universities having programs in place to facilitate that success.
Washington State University is home to TRiO programs, including Upward Bound and Educational Talent Search, and the Ronald E. McNair Achievement Program and Student Support Services.
Last week, we also had the grand opening of a new Chicano/Chicana Cultural Heritage House on College Hill near campus. We envision this as a gathering place for all students, but a place where Hispanic culture is supported and celebrated.
Through the CASHE conference, the Future Cougars of Color Program and other recruiting efforts, we can encourage the educational dreams of students who reflect Washington’s changing demographics.
Because as they thrive, so will our state, and our university.
