The Role of International Exchange Programs to Promote Diversity on College Campuses

Abstract

In response to recent Court decisions, many US colleges and universities are energetically seeking ways to increase the diversity of their student bodies. Although the focus of many of these university efforts in the United States has been the inclusion of greater numbers of native-born, naturalized, or resident minorities in the student bodies, one could argue just as effectively that, given the position of the United States in the global political economy, student bodies should contain significant representatives from countries outside the United States. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the role, development, and implementation of effective international exchange programs involving faculty, staff, and students, and how they can play a part to promote campus diversity using examples from the experience of Southern Illinois University to illustrate key points.

Key Words:

• Diversity
• faculty exchange
• student exchange
• study abroad