A World of Possibilities: Creating a more inclusive CWRU

A World of Possibilities: Creating a more Inclusive CWRU

Join the Center for International Affairs in a discussion regarding Fall 2018 statistics show that, nationwide, international student enrolment in American universities is down for the second year in a row. Suspected reasons for the drop include the political and social environment, economic concerns,and an inefficient F-1 visa application process.

At the same time, recent research has shown that workplace diversity results in numerous, measurable positive outcomes. Freeman and Huang found that papers by authors of different (or diverse) nationalities are published in more high-impact journals than those with homogeneous teams. Lu, Galinski, et. al found intercultural friendships spark creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Green, Lopez, et. al point out, maintaining and prioritizing a truly diverse workplace “...can reduce lawsuits and increase marketing opportunities, recruitment, creativity, and business image.”

At the CWRU level, data compiled by NAFSA (an association of international education professionals) show CWRU’s international students contributed over $120 million to the economy and supported 1,754 jobs.

Based on these findings, it seems clear that maintaining a diverse team of researchers, professors, students, post docs, staff, and many others is key to the success of CWRU. However, fostering these types of teams and environments can be challenging. As Green, Lopez, et. al point out, “It involves recognizing the value of differences, combating discrimination, and promoting inclusiveness.”

Given the importance of and benefits to be gained from promoting truly diverse, accepting workspaces (which go beyond ‘acknowledgement’ to true inclusivity), what can we do at CWRU to foster such a workplace? Be it from the negative side (e.g. stronger consequences for behavior ‘X’), or from the positive side (e.g. reward behavior ‘Y’ with incentive ‘Z’), what can we as a community, an administrative structure, educators, and individuals do to promote and foster true inclusivity and diversity on campus?

Other resources to consider:

“How Do We Get People to Interact? International Students and the American Experience”

Accent reduction therapy

Hofstede Insights -- country culture comparison tool

“Why Aren’t Americans and International Students Becoming Friends?”