BLACKSBURG, Va. – A few years ago, Virginia Tech faced criticism for lacking diversity. Now, Virginia Tech's InclusiveVT program is in overdrive, working to bring a more diverse student and faculty population to campus.
"It's about making sure that everybody who comes here feels included, they know they matter and they are part of the community," Patty Perillo, vice president of student affairs, said.
During Tuesday's Diversity Summit, Virginia Tech faculty and officials discussed the strides the university has made in broadening the backgrounds of the campus population. But they also discussed the work still left to do. According to the Virginia Tech Factbook, for the 2016-2017 school year, white students made up 63 percent of enrollment compared to 9 percent for Asian students and 4 percent for African Americans. For a breakdown of the enrollment numbers, click here.
"Our goal as a land grant public institution is to make sure that we are accessible for all and we need to live into that commitment," Perillo said.
Virginia Tech's president has set a goal that by 2022, the campus will be both more inclusive and also have more students from diverse backgrounds.
"Part of our plan is to make sure that there are enrollment goals for us for students, faculty and staff so we will become diverse in all of those ways," Perillo said.
"In light of the current environment, understanding empathy, understanding struggles, understanding how to work within an environment that is not like yours is key to success," Luisa Havens, vice provost for enrollment management, said.
Virginia tech faculty are hoping enrollment goals, along with an improved strategic plan, will make Hokie nation more inclusive.
WSLS also spoke with Virginia Tech faculty about the tragic events in Charlottesville last weekend.
"If you study history, those images are images that were part of our country's past we thought, but certainly now they are part of our country's present. I think the opportunity to begin to think about how to work to advance issues of equity and justice are going to be critically important moving forward," Menah Pratt-Clarke, vice provost for inclusion and diversity, said.