An New Approach to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion with the University at Buffalo

Building a diverse student body is more nuanced than we often think. It’s not about meeting quotas, nor does it justify the admission of unqualified applicants. But to find what colleges are truly seeking, they have to make a conscious effort to build a healthy and diverse learning environment that works for everyone. And without students that develop communities that push for inquiry, challenge the status quo, generate respect, and expand perspectives—they’re going nowhere fast.

This is exactly why the University at Buffalo is providing financial support to minority students to help offset the cost of a college degree. Currently, 33% of Black students, 13% of Hispanic students, and 9% of Asian students borrow more than $40,000 in student loans to pay for school, leaving them with a significant amount of debt once they graduate—if they can afford to make it all the way across the stage. In actively working to invest in more equitable access to education, the university is helping to bridge the gap between white and minority access to education and ensure more equitable opportunities for all students. With the current 2023 class being the most diverse in UB’s history and 59% of graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences being minorities, UB is well on its way.