A Shifting Paradigm in the Recruitment and Retention of Underrepresented Graduate Students

Abstract

Efforts to recruit and retain a diverse graduate population at colleges and universities are undergoing a paradigm shift. Diversity has traditionally been operationalized as racial minority, yet recent court decisions have indicated that such a definition is legally problematic. As a result, institutional leaders are moving toward defining diversity in terms of “underrepresented.” However, little is known about the specific activities institutions are undertaking to attract and retain underrepresented graduate students. This study presents the results of a national survey of members of the National Association of Graduate Admission Professionals on the efforts their institutions are undertaking to attract and retain underrepresented graduate students as well as their perceived effectiveness of such activities.

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