Diversity in Higher Education

E2 | Sunday, July 12, 2020 | lmtonline.com | Laredo Morning Times 50th Anniversary By Christian Alejandro Ocampo Laredo Morning Times A ccording to the American Coun- cil on Education, diversity enriches the educational experience, and the different perspectives found on campuses may lead to lessons that can only be taught best by a diverse and social environment. Additional- ly, it promotes growth and a healthy society and strengthens communi- ties and the workplace. At Texas A&M International University, a great emphasis has been placed on not only educating students from the region and the world but also helping them be- come global citizens. In September, TAMIU ranked eighth in the nation in racial diversity among faculty members. It also has an average of over 100 international students and over 300 international faculty mem- bers every semester. “Our international students and our international faculty bring a diversity to this campus and it’s a great diversity,” TAMIU president Dr. Pablo Arenaz said. “(They) bring a diversity that has a positive impact on everybody, and it brings a richness to the university experi- ence, both for students and faculty; it’s a great thing that we have on this campus … and that our inter- national students really do become integrated as a part of this campus. They impart their culture to the stu- dents, and I think that’s an impor- tant part of all of that.” According to the U.S. Cen- sus Bureau, Laredo holds a 95.4% Hispanic population, with a white population of 3.6% and Black, American Indian, Asian, Pacific Is- lander, etc. all below 1%. However, TAMIU’s focus on international studies allows students from around the world to learn and teach about their culture to those who may have never traveled outside the U.S. and Mexico. TAMIU’s 50th anniversary Diversity in Higher Education Photo by Christian Alejandro Ocampo / Laredo Morning Times A globe sits atop TAMIU’s Trailblazers Tower, built in 2020 alongside the Academic Innovation Center.