Today’s global society calls for leaders who can meet challenges, relate to others and solve problems while taking into account different points of view. College campuses offer the perfect place for students to develop these skills and expand their worldview by fostering connections with others whose cultures and backgrounds differ from their own. In fact, it might be the first time some students will interact with people from diverse groups.
Diversity at the core of TU’s mission
Educating people of diverse backgrounds lies at the heart of The University of Tulsa’s mission. In 2015, TU’s leadership identified diversity as a strategic priority for the university. The Office of Diversity and Engagement was established, and Jacqueline Caldwell was named vice president, responsible for leading TU’s diversity efforts. She formed the Diversity Advisory Council, which developed the Diversity Action Plan that serves as a roadmap for all diversity and inclusion initiatives.
Today, TU’s campus community includes students from 66 different countries and a multitude of races and ethnicities. According to U.S. News & World Report, TU’s international student population — 14% of the entire student body — is the 14th highest percentage in the U.S. The number of multicultural students enrolled at TU also has steadily increased in recent years. At the graduate level, the number grew from 10% to 15% in master’s programs and from 2% to 15% in doctoral programs. And 2019 was the highest percentage of incoming multicultural undergraduate students, with an increase of 100% in every domestic racial category from last year.
Equity and inclusion benefits all
TU has more than 35 multicultural student organizations created by and for students of color, international students, LGBTQI+ students and other diverse populations to provide spaces for support and camaraderie as well as to engage and educate the larger student body. Amanda Chastang, director of multicultural affairs, manages TU’s efforts in this area. She also serves as an associate within the university’s Office of Diversity and Engagement.
Chastang works with the students to ensure the events follow university policies and procedures, and also coordinates campus events and programming that celebrate TU’s diverse population. In addition, she oversees the Chevron Multicultural Resource Center (MRC) located in the Holmes Student Center of Hardesty Hall. “The MRC serves as a safe space on campus where students can be their authentic selves without fear of judgment,” says Chastang. Students can watch TV, enjoy snacks, study, hold meetings or just decompress from the day. They also have access to information about campus resources.
Chastang works closely with Caldwell on the recruitment and retention of diverse students, faculty and staff. “Alongside our Diversity Advisory Council, which is comprised of students and representatives from departments campus-wide, we look at our campus climate, recruitment practices and retention initiatives to make sure we are doing all that we can to retain a diverse population.” The council also looks at what makes TU attractive to diverse candidates and how the university can encourage potential faculty and staff to move to Tulsa? “We have a lot going for us; we are close to downtown, have a low cost of living compared to big cities and an important cultural history.”
She notes that initiatives like those outlined in the Diversity Action Plan have resulted in an increase of diverse students, faculty and staff at TU. “We are actively recruiting a diverse campus community,” said Chastang. She wants people to know that TU is a home for everyone. Her message is simple: “You belong here, and we want your identity and all its intersections to be represented.” Chastang says small, deliberate steps, such as hosting a reception for incoming multicultural students and their families, go a long way in making the campus a more welcoming, inclusive environment.
“College in general is supposed to challenge you and expose you to different people and ideas,” said Chastang. “If you went to a high school where there wasn’t a lot of diversity, college is that place for exposure. You have the opportunity to engage with people who have experienced life different than your own; and people should take advantage of that opportunity.”
Diversity through the lens of TU’s student community
Marjorie Bontemps, who recently completed her master’s degree in museum science management and is currently pursuing a doctorate in anthropology, recalls visiting her older sister at TU in 1989. Bontemps says it was customary for her family members to attend college in the U.S. “I was exposed to different cultures because she was so involved in campus activities and her roommate was from Saudi Arabia. I thought, ‘This university has such great culture.’ That’s stayed with me ever since. When I got accepted, I felt really proud that I was carrying on the legacy of my sister.”
Bontemps attended the University of Oklahoma for her undergraduate studies, then spent time working in the nonprofit sector and as a teacher before starting her graduate studies at TU in 2017. She met an acquaintance who was pursuing a museum science management degree at TU and it piqued her interest. “I’ve always had a special thing in my heart for TU; I love the campus and it’s a great university.”
She says the faculty in her programs and the staff in the Graduate College and International Student Services made her feel welcome and helped her navigate the lifestyle on campus — particularly as a nontraditional student. “Many of the staff have made great efforts to bring events to campus and welcome students,” said Bontemps. She does note that while TU has made great strides to create an environment that embraces all cultures, there is still opportunity for improvement. Chastang understands that reality, and works regularly with faculty, staff and student groups to provide cultural competence and implicit bias training.
Now in her second semester of the Ph.D. program, Bontemps’ research explores how African artifacts are displayed in a museum space and how the narrative around those artifacts challenge thoughts about how they are perceived as a cultural myth. “Instead of seeing the artifacts through a Western curator’s perspective, you would see it through the other side. Museums take people to another culture, so you want to make sure you are providing good information and insights into the culture in a positive manner,” she said.