NH universities

New Hampshire's largest colleges and universities have struggled to meet own diversity goals

New Hampshire's largest colleges and universities have struggled to meet own diversity goals

For at least two decades, nationally and in New Hampshire, there has been a push to diversify college campuses. Schools have created diversity offices, put resources into recruitment, implemented policies and been vocal about their desire to make higher education a more inclusive place. While there has been some progress on this front in New Hampshire, a review of enrollment data from the five largest, four-year, undergraduate schools—Dartmouth College, Keene State College, Plymouth State University, Southern New Hampshire University and University of New Hampshire — shows some have struggled to move their numbers beyond where they were nearly 20 years before.

NH campuses face a tough sell in bid for minority students

NH campuses face a tough sell in bid for minority students

New Hampshire’s colleges and universities say they are trying to foster greater diversity, but they’ve had limited success. Black student population at the University of New Hampshire, Plymouth State, Keene State and Dartmouth totaled 550 in 2010. In 2019 it was 570, a tiny number compared to the overall student population of 24,465 at the four schools. Cost and existing lack of diversity in the state are challenges; story discusses options for what schools and state can do to change this.

For diverse students, affinity groups provide a safe haven

For diverse students, affinity groups provide a safe haven

Whether known as peer-led support groups or affinity groups, a crucial strategy in attracting and retaining students of diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds is fostering ethnic-oriented student organizations to provide encouragement and counter feelings of isolation. Data and research show these groups can have an impact on retention rates among college students of color by creating a sense of belonging.