In its latest edition, “Recruiting Success,” Diverse magazine pays homage to UVA’s efforts to create a diverse community.
According to the magazine, UVA is tied with Columbia University among top-rated universities this year for enrolling the highest percentage of African-American students at 11.4 percent. The magazine also reports that UVA has announced this was the 14th consecutive year that the graduation rate of African-Americans, 83 percent, was the highest among state universities.
In a short Q&A with UVA President John Casteen, Diverse asked what practices he shares with other presidents.
“Direct, personal involvement with the people and the issues, clearly articulated goals, transparent disclosure of accomplishments and failures, acknowledgment that within universities change may be advocated at almost any level, but happens most deliberatively and probably most efficiently when presidents, provosts and deans put themselves on the line with regard to defining clear purposes and reporting timely and clearly on results, including failures,” says Casteen.
Among some of the aspects that keep UVA at the top, Casteen says, are mutual respect within faculty communities, access to top students, a supportive surrounding community, recurring opportunities for personal and academic growth and fully engaged leaders.
Diverse also spoke with Dr. C.D. Mote Jr. of the University of Maryland, College Park, and Dr. Gregory H. Williams of The City College of New York, one of the most diverse campuses in the nation, according to Diverse.
