The Diversity Concept: Implications of Its Definition and Operationalization for Higher Education

• In Event: Moscone Center West Roundtable Session 8
  In Roundtable Session: Enhancing Campus Climates for Inclusion

Abstract

The concept of diversity, although extensively used, is difficult to define. Using literature in higher education, three different ways of defining diversity are discussed: the equity perspective, the educational benefit perspective, and the population resemblance perspective. This paper exemplifies how these different definitions can be operationalized, the relationship among the different ways of operationalizing this concept, and what institutions are considered as diverse under the different definitions. This paper aims to push the conversation around diversity forward and give higher education leaders, practitioners, and scholars the opportunity to explore potential outcomes for how they define, operationalize, interpret, and implement their work related to diversity.

Authors

• Paula Clasing-Manquian, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Raul Gamez, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor