Passport to Diversity

Spread over three web sessions, the 2023 Diversity Abroad Think Forward Summit tackled the current state of diversity in international education and methods to increase access to studying abroad. Volt attended the sessions in January, but because the information is so timely, we have decided to share all three sessions in their entirety. Here was the key takeaway from each session.

#1: Effective Leadership Nets Results 

Volt previously covered the ongoing student mental health crisis and faculty burnout, but Global Diversity members noted that prioritizing mental health needs to have top-down solutions and buy-in from leadership. Watch the full session here, or skip to 27:00 to hear Amaris Vazquez-Vargas explain how Texas A&M University’s approach to mental health and self-care has increased employee engagement and satisfaction. 

#2: Affirmative Action’s Purpose Has Been Hijacked

The Think Forward Summit aimed to present innovative ideas to increase access to the benefits of studying abroad and to decrease inequity in such endeavors. Will ongoing and global affirmative action bans impact Global Diversity’s primary objectives? Natasha Warikoo discusses the history of affirmative action and what a Supreme Court decision for race-conscious admissions could mean for the majority of higher ed institutions.

#3: Increasing Opportunities Means Increasing Access

Historically, the primary requirement for study abroad has been the necessity of travel. However, the pandemic opened the door for virtual and remote collaborations with companies beyond students’ typical access. Jump to 21:00 to hear how programs such as Podium Education are “flipping the light switch” on student perspectives about intercultural experiences and studying abroad.