Hispanic enrollment at Ball State
2008-09: 350 students
2013-14: 562 students
Source: University Diversity Committee Report
Although both African-American and Native-American enrollment has dropped at Ball State, the number of Hispanic and Latino undergraduates enrolled at Ball State has increased.
Undergraduate Hispanic enrollment has risen about 60 percent from 350 students in 2008-09 to 562 in 2013-14 according to the Diversity Committee Report through recruitment and multiculturalism. The Diversity Committee Report is an annual, state-required report.
Romelle Taday, vice president of Gamma Phi Omega, a Latino-oriented sorority, said she chose Ball State because of its efforts to create a diverse campus.
“When I finally picked ball state, I found what I was looking for; a lot of diversity and a push for multiculturalism," Taday said. "I think [Ball State] tries to make sure it's getting non-minority students to experience multiculturalism."
Taday grew up in an area rich in culture in Northern Illinois. She first experienced discrimination when she moved to a town a half hour away when she was in middle school.
“I [used to live] in a melting pot. It was definitely a culture shock. …A lot of people hadn’t seen people from different races in town," Taday said. "It helped me embrace my race and my culture. After that, I pushed for experiences that allow for culture."
The increase in the blend of diversity at Ball State is no accident, said Chris Munchel, director of Undergraduate Admissions. He said the admissions office strives to recruit and attract many backgrounds.
“Over the five plus years we've definitely invested our time and effort in recruiting a diverse class. We’ve done numerous programs and efforts to increase our diversity overall," Munchel said. "We created a diversity recruitment program that we hold in the fall and a diversity yield program that we have in the spring."
This holistic approach to culture boosts Ball State as a school by creating new learning situations, said Munchel.
Charlene Alexander, director of the Office of Institutional Diversity agrees with Munchel, and said the differences allow for creative thinking and problem solving.
“Critical thinking skills are enhanced with diversity of thought,” said Alexander, who stated that Hispanic faculty is also growing.
Alexander said it is important to have a strong Hispanic population at Ball State, both in the faculty and student bodies.
“When we talk about the increase of enrollment in Hispanic students, we know that this is a wonderful thing. National statistics indicate that the Hispanic population is growing faster than any other group," Alexander said. "The fact that Ball State is able to attract Hispanic students means we have a curriculum that is attractive to a vast majority of the population."
The Hispanic population is the fastest growing minority in the United States. Following this trend, the number of Hispanics enrolling in undergraduate programs is greater than ever, according to Pew Center Research.
Alexander said that seeking out students with different backgrounds can only be positive for Ball State.
“It is such a wonderful thing when you see yourself reflected in many ways in your university. I see female students. I see African American students. I see parts of myself reflected in our population. This adds a layer of understanding and comfort minorities may not have otherwise experienced,” said Alexander.
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