Bridging Cultural Gaps Between Higher Education and Diversity

Abstract

This paper addresses challenges and contradictions between the culture of higher education and the cultures of diverse students. Significant gaps in student success are cause for serious concern in higher education. Responses to this concern include various diversity initiatives. A general overview of the culture of higher education and the new student demographic is presented, followed by a summary of common diversity initiatives. A culture-centric model is presented as a framework for comprehensive institutional transformation to reduce the cultural gap.