CHANGING FACES

How much does your campus reflect the changing demographics of America? We all know Kean University has a very diverse campus; so diverse that in 2006 the Homecoming theme was "Proud of Our Diversity". A recent study from the Pew Research Center claims by 2050 the population of the U.S is expected to expand from 296 million to 438 million. In that equation reflects the growing number of people from Hispanic backgrounds coming to the United States. Currently, Hispanics make up 14% of the U.S population and are projected to soar to 29% by 2050. Also, by then the study predicts the Caucasian population will decrease to 49%, African Americans will remain around 13% and Asians to increase to 9%. Of course these estimated numbers can vary depending on certain social changes, which may or may not occur before 2050, including possible changes in immigration laws. Here on campus, The Office of Institutional Research reported the 2007 freshman class was comprised of 663 Caucasian, 334 of African descent, 330 Hispanic, and 97 Asian students. Different ethnic populations on campus increase with the admission of more freshmen each year. Kean University is a place where many second generation students, whose parents came from another country, come to receive an education. With that idea in mind, Kean is ahead of the rest; reports also stated that by 2050, one in every five Americans will be an immigrant. The study points to a changing America, where diversity and multiculturalism are becoming more important. With respect to education, future students will probably see more programs and scholarships mirroring the growing number of people. Kean accommodates student diversity with the International Student Services Office (ISS), which works with students from countries all over the world to bring them to Kean to study and earn a degree. People from all over the globe have come to Kean through ISS.

We all know Kean has a very diverse student population, but how diverse are the faculty and the staff? Here are some statistics you might not have known. As far as gender goes, the female to male ratio of full-time faculty is fairly equal with a reported 199 males and 176 females. By ethnicity, in Fall 2007, out of 375 full-time faculty members, 264 are Caucasian, 40 are of African descent, 38 are Asian, 30 are Hispanic, and 3 are unreported. This study and its results can be viewed in full on the Kean website.

Diversity is a very broad term, but is becoming increasingly important as we see the possibility for the first African American or woman president.. Students at Kean are fortunate to attend such a culturally aware university that encourages different cultural groups to exist at Kean. When you look around Kean, embrace the differences and opportunities to learn from others because not every place will offer the same type of diversity..