What’s the opposite of a melting pot?

Note: Today and tomorrow’s posts stemmed from discussions about James Madison University’s (JMU) diversity, or lack thereof, and the effects it may have on students entering an increasingly globalized workplace. You can refer to Haley’s post for more details.

Eighty-three percent of JMU’s nearly 18,000 students are Caucasian. Among that underwhelming 17 percent of diversity:

• One percent of students are international,
• Four percent are African American,
• Five percent are Asian and
• Two percent are Hispanic.

Now, let’s factor in our on-going joke of a female-male ratio. It’s reported as 61 percent female. But, in classes it appears to be more like 75 percent female. So, there are roughly 9,150 white female students wandering around JMU at any given time.

Many JMU students are content residing in our “bubble,” isolated from the outside world and even from the surrounding community. I’m not knocking the education I’ve received in these hallowed halls, I just wonder if this lack of diversity will prove a hindrance for me as a step out into an increasingly globalized world.

In 2006, Megan Twohey wrote of UW-Madison’s own lack of diversity in Milwaukee’s Journal Sentinel, “As they struggle to compete in a global economy, companies are building diverse work forces that reflect their customers.”

During my summer internship, I was alongside the most diverse (and talented) group of people I’ve ever worked with. Everyone brought a wealth of experience and talent to the table. I was so used to working with only other women, many of whom were so similar only student ID numbers could differentiate them. I felt naïve. I wish I could have had more of these experiences.

I’ve spent the last four years in an environment that is not reflective of the big cities I’m hoping to move to. Has a homogeneous university prepared me for global competition?

-Rachel

Look out tomorrow for Carla’s views of JMU diversity and competition.