CSUEB in top 100 for degrees awarded students of color
Cal State East Bay is a top undergraduate degree producer for minority students, according to 2011 rankings by Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.
- July 12, 2011
California State University, East Bay has often been recognized for its diverse student body and commitment to providing access to higher education for underserved students, most recently by Diverse: Issues In Higher Education. The publication included the university in its latest list of the Top 100 Degree Producers for minority students, a national ranking of higher education institutions that confer the most degrees to minority students.
In the 2011 list, CSUEB is ranked No. 71 for number of bachelor’s degrees awarded to minority students across all disciplines.
“Our strong commitment to multiculturalism is displayed not only in the number of degrees we confirm to students of color, but also by the high quality of the education that we offer all of our students,” said James Houpis, provost and vice president of academic affairs at CSUEB.
“That commitment to diversity and academics results in our students being more globally aware and more globally competitive,” he added.
The report is based on independent analysis of U.S. Department of Education reports, which are submitted by each institution. It provides several ratings, including overall minority enrollment and degrees conferred, degrees conferred by specific discipline and individual ethnic and racial group performance.
Increasing the representation of minorities at CSUEB “has long been a goal,” according to Linda Nolan, director of equity and diversity. “It’s part of our mandates, and these numbers are the result of years of making this a priority,” she said.
She cited the university’s unique outreach programs, like Super Sunday, and a high level of visibility in the community as contributing to the high number of students of color both enrolled and earning degrees.
Cal State East Bay has been included in the undergraduate list in previous years, along with 12 other California State University schools. Diverse also publishes rankings for graduate and professional degrees and places CSUEB in the top 100 in the nation.
Looking at specific undergraduate majors and disciplines, CSUEB ranked 18th in Business Administration, Management and Operations; No. 22 in Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences; and No. 32 in Health Professions and Related Programs for degrees awarded cumulatively to all students of color.
For individual master’s programs, the university is ninth in the nation in Mathematics and Statistics degrees and No. 39 for Physical Sciences degrees for all minority students. It’s also ranked No. 1 for Asian American degree recipients in Communication Disorders Sciences.
Graduate degrees granted in Public Administration and Social Service fields also made a strong showing for African American students (No. 28) and Hispanic students (No. 31).
The Diverse rankings also track gender, the number of minority students as a percentage of all degree recipients within disciplines, and changes in the number of graduates from the previous year.
Nolan added that these rankings reflect only part of CSUEB’s vision for a diverse community. The university also reaches out to include students with disabilities, LGBT students and those who are the first in their families to attend college.
“The geographic area is one of the most diverse in the US, and this university represents that well,” she said. “When you look at our campus, you can see that clearly.