Campus diversity up, numbers show
By Elizabeth Hillin, News Writing Student
Campus diversity is rising, new statistics show.
In recent years, OCCC has seen a surge in all minority groups, according to a report by the Office of Institutional Diversity.
In the last 15 years the percentage of ethnic minorities has doubled from 16.2 percent to 32.1 percent, the report shows.
Tiffany Davis, visual arts student, said she feels the diversity is a good thing as long as the different groups are “attending for the right reason.”
“Honestly, if there is no negativity, it’s fine with me,” Davis said.
World Languages and Cultures Center lab assistant Chiaki Troutman said student diversity is welcomed on campus and in the lab.
The Hispanic population has grown the most, according to the report.
Admission/Registration Dean Gloria Cardenas Barton said the number of Hispanics in the Oklahoma City area continues to rise, and it affects the enrollment and graduation numbers of Hispanic students at OCCC.
In the 2006-2007 academic year, the number of Hispanic graduates jumped from 45 to 78, which is the largest of the minority groups on campus, the report states.
Samuel Campos, a Hispanic student, said he chose to attend OCCC because of the OKC-GO program, which helps students achieve their academic goals via an outreach program.
“The OKC-GO program really helpd with my tuition,” Campos said.
