Around the year I was born (1990) college was viewed as a luxury reserved for dedicated, mostly white students who had the opportunities laid out before them and the grades to match. By the time I began college in 2008, I was struck by the sheer number of students attending the University along with me. My family wasn’t very well-off, so I relied on financial aid to get me through my five years of higher education; and it seemed to be that many others were doing the same.

Still, there was a glaring issue of what I saw on campus: a lot of whiteness with little to no diversity. What diversity did exist on campus was an interesting mix of wealthy students from overseas (which is awesome, but still requires a level of privilege not afforded to most) and the rare shining star that received a full-ride scholarship.

Whether it’s the sexual harassment endured by women in STEM programs, campus rape culture, or the silencing of transgender student’s voices on campus, there is an obvious lack of support for students who are not white, cis, or male in our higher education system. For people of color, who experience the school to prison pipeline, the constant policing of their bodies and lack of representation, white college culture can be unwelcoming. With the ever-rising cost of higher education and student debt far exceeding the one trillion mark, along with little to no aid available for those that need it most, goals like graduating college can seem near impossible to achieve.

To this day, people of color aren’t graduating college at the same rate as white students. The lack of a supportive college culture translates to either a lack of regard for making college accessible to all, or the disregard of student suggestions and concerns. Whatever the reason, people of color and other marginalized folx are struggling to reach college, and to improve the experience and outcome.

Enter in pioneers within the online education community. These creators, teachers, and leaders are recognizing the limitations of achieving a college education and actually doing something about it. By creating financial programs and providing increased opportunities for those marginalized by the system, these proponents pushing for a shift in focus for online college education are making waves.

Admission and Cost

One of the most outspoken leaders in online education is Arizona State University president, Michael Crow. He is recognizing the lack in diversity on ASU’s campus and has begun to create initiatives that are beneficial for those interested in a college education. One of the most notable achievements so far is the guaranteed admissions program for students in 50 select California community colleges:

“Many California students think that ASU’s world-class curriculum and faculty may be out of their reach, but that’s simply not the case. In an effort to ensure all California students interested in earning their degree at a PAC-12 school can do so, ASU recently introduced a guaranteed admission program in partnership with 50 California community colleges. The program includes both on-campus and online options, making it possible for California students to earn an ASU degree without ever leaving their home state.”

For those living in California with children, a full time job, and lack reliable transportation or income; having this opportunity open up is a true blessing. Not to mention the lowered cost for attendance. Normally for ASU out-of-state tuition is about $1,000 per credit, but for the online program that price is cut in half. Although $500 per credit adds up fast, this movement in the direction of a less expensive option is promising for future students and could lead to a trend of more affordable education.

ASU has also partnered with edX for the Global Freshman Academy, a non-for-profit focused on providing low-cost classes for all students that can pass the course; no up-front charges or fees. Flexibility and low-income classes are especially beneficial to people of color, who are more likely to suffer from poverty, underemployment, and a lack of access needed to achieve higher education.

Just recently, the W.P. Carey School of Business with ASU announced that their MBA program will be completely free (no string attached). Some are questioning the universities decision, stating it will cost them close to $20 million dollars annually. However, ASU insists that this move is to open up the playing field (so to speak) to those that have amazing business start-up ideas but little to no money to reach the education level required to achieve their dreams. With this new free program, they are pushing to show other Universities how to draw in top talent without ruining the quality of their education. They understand the limitations surrounding brilliant minds, and are willing to break those boundaries to help them succeed.

College Culture

Another outspoken advocate for online education and higher education reform is Jay Halford, with Boston University’s online Administrative Science program. Halford is a strong supporter in online education, and is trying to bring attention to the changing culture of higher education through online college classrooms.

Halford insists that technology should not be exploited, but instead the true potential lies in creating a diverse and international community within the online curriculum. By providing access to group chats and a shared course schedule, online students can form bonds across barriers that can lead to a greater innovative change. The potential in online learning, then, isn’t meeting enrollment requirements, but in enhancing the current state of higher education and the university culture (and online culture, in turn).

Back at ASU, Michael Crow met with tribal leaders in June of 2016 for the annual Native American Student Advocacy Institute (NASAI) National Conference. The primary focus? Finding ways to close the education gap for indigenous children.

In the past decade ASU has claimed to increase the American indigenous student population on campus and online by 30%. With programs such as RECHARGE and the Inspire Camp, high school students from across the 22 Arizona tribes can visit, attend conferences, and explore the college. ASU promises to increase their degree programs, and continue their efforts to provide “accessible, affordable, quality education and increase the social mobility of all the residence of Arizona.” The success of these programs shouldn’t be taken lightly, and universities across the states and native populations could benefit greatly from following the lead of ASU.

Intersectional Education

Online education can be even more beneficial for people with disabilities, anxieties, or those that exist outside the average “white, affluent, and cis-male” identities. For those that are often silenced in classroom discussions, the environment of on-campus learning can be intimidating and discouraging.

Through online chat-classrooms, classroom conversations are on a level playing field; even if it’s at the expense of losing real time face-to-face conversations. One can only imagine the benefits this might provide for those that struggle with being heard in a generic university environment. Allowing perspectives and ideas to be shared openly, and the flexibility online learning provides; these benefits might be enough to inspire students to continue their education through to graduation. Studies have also shown that sharing ideas through writing – a practice now known as “brainwriting” – can be more successful than general classroom, or brainstorming, discussions.

The fact that leaders like Michael Crow and Jay Halford are using their position in power to bringing attention to the issue of lack of diversity in the classroom is inspiring and promising. In the future, we may see even more University presidents and professors acknowledge this ever-important issue, and actually provide a pathway to success for those who need it most. For now, students that struggle to complete college can know that they have some influential people rooting them on to a degree.

 

About the Author:

Katie McBeth is a Freelance writer out of Boise, ID. She is an intersectional feminist, owner of a small private zoo, and can occasionally be found at music festivals cheering on her favorite indie acts. You can follow her animal and writing adventures on Instagram or Twitter: @ktmcbeth.