Imagine an America where today’s minorities will make up a substantial majority of the population. Given current demographic trends, by the year 2050 the combination of Asians, Hispanic and Blacks will outnumber White Americans. Dr. Mitchel Livingston, Vice President for Student Affairs at the University of Cincinnati, discussed these trends and the challenges they represent at Florence Rotary’s April 23rd meeting. Dr. Livingston focused his remarks on the variations in educational achievement by ethnic group and by geography across America.
Citing statistics from the US Census Bureau, Dr. Livingston reported that high school graduation rates by ethnic group have remained virtually unchanged for the past 25 years. The graduation rate for Asians exceeds 92%, followed by whites at just under 90%, Blacks at approximately 78% and Hispanics at around 65%.
Regionally, Dr, Livingston reported that the Midwest had the lowest increase in the number of high school graduates of less than 1%, while the West led with a 16.5% increase followed by the South at nearly 11% and the Northeast at 8%. Dr. Livingston noted that we need to make a serious effort to improve high school graduation rates in our region simply to keep up with the rest of the country or risk losing out economically.
Moving on to college enrollment, Dr. Livingston showed that at present Asians lead the way with a 65% enrollment rate, followed by Whites at 47%, Blacks at 42% and Hispanics at 37%. The growth in enrollment among ethnic groups shows a significant increase for Hispanics, with enrollment growing by over 170%. Blacks follow with an increased enrollment exceeding 140%, closely followed by Asians at 140% and White enrollment increasing to 110% of current enrollment. Overall undergraduate enrollment is expected to increase by 2.6 million students by 2015.
Dr. Livingston emphasized that with the changing ethnic mix the challenge to the University will be to make diversity and excellence threads of a common fabric. He concluded with the thought that Universities will need to adapt to an environment of changing demographics, coupled with increased competition in both price and quality.
Addressing these changes effectively will determine the future not only of our institutions of higher learning, but of our region and the nation as a whole. How we educate our children, of every ethnic group, will determine the quality of life we can expect.
For information about weekly meetings, guest speakers and community service opportunities of the Florence Rotary Club, contact Pat Moynahan, President, at amoynahan@insightbb.com or 859-802-0242. Visit the Rotary web site at www.florencerotary.org. Florence Rotary meets weekly on Mondays at noon at the Airport Hilton Hotel in Florence.
