African-American students at Iowa State University: a preliminary test of a diversity model, 1974-1994

Abstract

The focus of this study was to determine the extent to which Iowa State University, a predominantly white institution, is committed to providing an environment that is inclusive and basically bias free for African-American undergraduate students. The comments of the study will be limited to African-American students, the largest racial group at Iowa State, but similarities do exist among other ethnic groups. The researcher examined if the model institution, in this case Iowa State, has the following factors in providing a diverse and inclusive atmosphere for African-American students: 1) increasing numbers of African-American students, especially in underrepresented majors; 2) increasing general financial assistance opportumties; 3) increasing scholarship opportunities; 4) offering opportunities for professional and personal development by increasing numbers of African-American faculty and staff; 5) increasing graduation and retention rates of African-American students. The investigator developed a five-point diversity model, based on a modIfication of Richard C. Richardson's (1989) Model of Institutional Adaptation to Student Diversity (see Appendix). For the purposes of this study, the researcher examined whether Iowa State fit the model, in what areas, and then documented the findings. More specifically, this study revealed that if Iowa State has moved closer to diversity in the past twenty years. The review of the literature compared Iowa State to other mstitutions and their solutions of nurturing and retaining African-American students.