Students of color and experiences with racism in high education

Previous literature found an association between negative racial campus climates and higher rates of student depression and negative academic outcomes. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship the number of students of color within a college has with experiences with racism and perceptions of university commitment to diversity. Data from a 2020 online study at a large midwestern Catholic university was collected from students (N = 1956) to assess university climate. Responses from the study were analyzed using chi-squared, ANOVA, and correlation analyses. A chi-square analysis concluded that there was a significant difference between college type and percentage of students of color within the college. Additionally, there was a significant difference between college association and experiences with racism on campus and university perceptions of diversity. A correlation analysis showed that the number of students of color does not have a significant relationship with the rate of negative racial experiences within a college. However, the results indicate that the greater number of students of color within a college the higher recorded perception of university commitment to diversity. This research conducted assisted with gaining a greater understanding about the type of communities that exist in universities.https://via.library.depaul.edu/psychologynight/1192/thumbnail.jp