Avellon Williams
DOMINICAN – San Rafael’s Dominican University has been recognized as a federally recognized “minority-serving institution” as part of its efforts to promote diversity among the students it enrolls, educates, and graduates.
With the qualification and designation, the campus can waive its match – 25% – in federal funding for equal-opportunity grants and work-study programs. Also, it qualifies the campus for grants funded by the federal Developing Hispanic-Service Institutions Program, an initiative designed to attract more Latino students.
One campus leader described it as a “game-changer” for the independent private university since Dominican becomes eligible to apply for more grants, scholarships, and internships.
Image: Bizwomen – Martin Klimek /Courtesy/
According to Dominican president Nicola Pitchford “It signals that we’re a diverse institution and that we have been very intentionally increasing our commitment to not just diversity, but facing challenges of equity.”
One of the Dominican leaders involved in this initiative is Stacy Davidson, a public member of the editorial board.
This recognition is an honor, a reflection not only of work done but also of the college’s commitment to building on that success for all of its students.
Dominican is now one of 325 universities nationwide – less than 10% – that have been granted this status.
Its undergraduate students represent a majority of Latinos, Asian Americans, and Pacific Islanders.
Dominican’s graduation rate of 72%, which is above the national average, can be partly explained by an increase in people of color among the 1,849 students who selected Dominican as the campus where they planned to pursue higher education.
Furthermore, it acknowledges Dominican students’ outreach and engagement with minority communities.
There is no “ivory tower” on the San Rafael campus.
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