The unit's progress in recruiting diverse candidates, especially candidates of color, has been less successful, particularly at the undergraduate level (Exhibit 4.3.e). The unit does, however, have candidates who represent other aspects of diversity, including exceptionalities and sexual orientation. The unit and the university are making every effort to recruit and retain a diverse student (and education candidate) population through a number of programs and initiatives (Exhibit 4.3.h). Graduate programs have been more successful in recruiting diverse candidates, particularly with the decision by President McGowan in spring 2010, to reduce graduate tuition (excluding the MAT program) to a rate highly competitive with other institutions around the state. Faculty in the EdS in Instructional Leadership program, specifically, have collaborated fully with district representatives from local and surrounding school districts, including the Archdiocese of Louisville, to integrate with each district's specific needs for leadership. Recruiting across a diverse area gives each cohort a variety of educational experiences and presents the opportunity to collaborate with urban, rural and private school districts, discuss urban and rural school challenges, and explore leadership and pedagogical differentiation. The unit actively participates with JCPS in their Aspiring Leaders recruitment program and attends the Ohio Valley Education Cooperative meetings (OVEC serves 13 counties which surround JCPS) as a regular monthly participant in their instructional coach and principal network meetings. This collaboration has resulted in an increase in the diversity of aspiring principal candidates.
Exhibits
4.3.e Diversity of Professional Education Candidates
4.3.h Undergraduate Admission Efforts to Increase Student Diversity