Posted: December 20, 2016 by Sheila L. Caldwell
The ROI of Diversity and Inclusion
When presenting workshops on diversity and inclusion, I often ask students and faculty to reflect on the question "What's in it for me?" This is an important question to ponder because embracing the complexity of diversity can cause discomfort for some UNG stakeholders. After all, what would encourage a person to engage in self-reflection, admit biases, or assess their level of awareness and its impact on others? While we in higher education fall back on answers such as enhanced critical thinking skills, preparation for a more global society, and the opportunity to be a catalyst for change, do these answers have the same impact for our community partners?
Measuring the return on investment of diversity and inclusion in an institution of higher education can be beneficial because diversity is not a charitable donation. According to the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Report (2014), institutions that take a strategic diversity leadership approach to advance diversity, inclusion and equity are more likely to see higher retention and graduation rates for African Americans, Hispanics, American Indians, and Native Hawaiians /Pacific Islander students. Additional returns include improved student demographic diversity, enhanced faculty and staff diversity, and positive gains in campus climate.