DIVERSITY AT WESTMONT COLLEGE
Westmont strives to be a community informed and enriched by thoughtful and intentional study of and interaction with multiple cultures. As a liberal arts college rooted in Christ, we celebrate diversity as an aspect of God’s creation; we strive to create community out of rich diversity as an aspect of building God’s Kingdom in the world; we value the range of perspectives on the world that stimulates intellectual and personal growth; and we seek for faculty and staff to apprentice students in the art of dealing with diversity in constructive ways. It is an aim of Westmont to prepare graduates who will function intelligently, effectively and for the good of our increasingly intercultural world.
ACROSS CULTURES FALL 2009
Westmont College's Commitment to Diversity
Westmont’s 1995 Long Range Plan included eight priorities. One was “that the Westmont community be creatively and energetically responding to the significant issues related to diversity – including both ethnic and gender diversity.” But why? Here are relevant excerpts from the Long Range Plan. more
What “Diversity” Means to Westmont
At its October meetings, the Board of Trustees approved a statement of key terms and identity. This culminated a lengthy campus effort spearheaded by the Mission and Distinctiveness Task Force and the Strategic Planning Committee to define what Westmont means by “evangelical,” “liberal arts,” and “diversity.”
According to this statement, “To the extent the college becomes more fully evangelical, more steeped in the liberal arts and more richly diverse, it will be more ‘Westmont.’ To understand these terms better, then, is to comprehend the college’s community and task more truly.” Included below is the section on “diversity.” more
Global Initiatives Task Force
A new task force is charged with developing a vision and a plan for expanding Westmont’s current off campus programs to position us better to provide a truly global education for our students. The expanded off-campus programs task force envisions will be focused on general education.
The Global Initiatives Task Force is headed by Acting Provost Rick Pointer. Members are professors Mary Docter, Charles Farhadian, Bruce Fisk, Laura Montgomery, and Jeff Schloss; administrators Doug Jones, Joyce Luy, Reed Sheard, and Bill Wright; and trustee Robert Kates.
To date, the group has been developing a set of student learning outcomes for those who participate on study abroad programs, discussing the criteria to be used in selecting a possible site for a new program, and brainstorming about issues that must be addressed as new programs are developed. The task force’s work will contribute to expanding programs that enhance student cross-cultural sensibilities and communication skills, as well as greater appreciation for other cultures and their people.
Student Leadership Summit
By Intercultural Programs Director Elena Yee
This year we inaugurated a once a semester training summit for student leaders. These summits allow us to delve more deeply into topics that are critical to students' success and impact on campus.
On October 2, student leaders from WCSA, WACC, WSM, Emmaus Road, SBIC, Potter's Clay, Spring Sing, resident assistants, intercultural organizations and racial equality and justice participated in a three hour session focused on power, privilege and position. The group played a game called "Star Power," which simulates the realities of the use and misuse of power in our society. more
Diversity Committee Fall 2009
Jane Higa , Chair
| Scott Anderson | Toya Cooper | Richard Lopez | Olympia Tuliaupupu |
| Kathryn Stelmach Artuso | Phil Ficsor | Joyce Luy | Bill Wright |
| Chris Call | Michelle Hardley | Michele Mollkoy | Elena Yee |
| Beth Cauwels | Ji Yei Kim | Silvia Rodarte | Jonathan Young |
| Kelly Connolly |
Intercultural Programs
Many different threads need to come together in order to form a beautiful tapestry of color and textures. Our goal at Westmont College is to create an environment in which Christ's kingdom is woven together and wonderfully displayed right on our campus.
Learn more about Intercultural Programs at Westmont
Westmont 2005-2006 Annual Report on Diversity
Ethnic/International Student Enrollment Report
Fall semester 2009
| GROUP | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 |
| Native American/Alaskan | 24 | 20 | 33 | 30 | 33 | 31 |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 85 | 98 | 91 | 122 | 135 | 121 |
| Black | 23 | 26 | 28 | 30 | 32 | 35 |
| Hispanic | 105 | 127 | 129 | 132 | 143 | 145 |
| Non-Resident Alien | 13 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 11 | 10 |
| TOTAL | 250 | 282 | 291 | 323 | 354 | 342 |
| College enrollment | 1376 | 1379 | 1337 | 1340 | 1347 | 1312 |
| % of Total Enrollment | 18.2% | 20.4% | 21.8% | 24.1% | 26.3% | 26.1% |
Enrollment by Ethnicity and Gender
See Summary in current issue of Across Cultures