Building Community From Diversity

Abstract

Many institutions of higher education across the nation are currently struggling with a more diverse population of students, internal debates about the meaning of multiculturalism on their campuses, and challenges in the communities in which they reside that encourage, if not require, a reasoned response by colleges and universities as organizations of leadership. This article provides a case study of how one religiously based college attempted to address the issue of cultural diversity through revisiting its mission statement and building linkages with the surrounding community. Significant to the process was collaboration with both local institutional leadership and representatives from immigrant and minority populations as well as a dialogue that took all voices seriously. The authors argue that, although this approach may deviate from those of many religious academic institutions, it provides a better model for community engagement, both for the college and the community.