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Whitworth Remains Committed to Increasing Access for Underrepresented Students

June 15, 2023

Dear Whitworth community,

Later this month we are expecting the U.S. Supreme Court to hand down a ruling on two cases (Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. University of North Carolina and Students for Fair Admissions, Inc. v. President & Fellows of Harvard College) that could alter affirmative action admissions practices in higher education. While not likely to affect existing admissions practices at Whitworth, the court's ruling could lamentably reduce access for historically marginalized racial and ethnic groups to colleges and universities, especially highly selective institutions such as Harvard. For decades, we have strived to remove barriers for students from underrepresented and underserved populations. We will continue to do so.

Whitworth's mission is to provide its diverse student body an education of mind and heart, equipping its graduates to honor God, follow Christ and serve humanity. Our mission not only defines our reason for existence; it also identifies who we aspire to be, individually and communally. God's creation is diverse, and his design for humanity is that everyone's unique talents and gifts are utilized and united in sharing God's love in the world. In this spirit, fostering a diverse educational community comprised of people from a broad range of experiences, backgrounds, perspectives and talents is a key aspect of our institutional identity. This wealth of experiences, knowledge and skills helps us better understand the world and solve the problems of today and tomorrow so that we can better honor God and love our neighbor.

In carrying out our mission, we are committed to speaking and teaching in a way that integrates our faith and learning. The stark reality is that for much of our country's history, institutions of higher education have not been racially or ethnically diverse. The historic and current causes for underrepresentation of minoritized racial/ethnic groups in higher education are manifold. Past policies – both within institutions of higher education and in society more generally – prevented large proportions of non-white populations from accessing a postsecondary education. Moreover, the enduring effects and disparate impact of such policies and laws continue to function as structural barriers to higher education for minoritized populations. As a result, large wealth disparities exist between white and non-white families with generational consequences. As Christians we are called to address this injustice.

For these reasons, Whitworth University, while not relying on strictly race-conscious practices that are being challenged in Supreme Court cases, remains committed to promoting a student body that is racially, ethnically, educationally and socioeconomically diverse. For over a decade we have intentionally reviewed and adopted recruiting and admission practices that remove barriers for students from historically underrepresented groups and increase access to a liberal arts education of mind and heart. Some examples include:

  • Adopting a test-optional admissions application, in 2007, prior to any other private liberal arts college in the state.
  • Incorporating a Spanish language experience throughout our admissions process.
  • Offering an overnight campus visit program in which students from underrepresented and first-generation backgrounds experience Whitworth's community and learn about the opportunities and resources at Whitworth.
  • Hiring an associate director of admissions for diversity, equity & inclusion as well as a cabinet-level chief diversity officer.

These practices and commitments have significantly changed the demographic profile of Whitworth's student body. From 2013 to 2022, the percentage of undergraduate students from underrepresented groups increased from 18 percent to 32 percent. During the same period, the percentage of students from families earning less than $50,000 per year increased from 18 percent to 26 percent. Between 2016 and 2022, the percentage of first-generation college students at Whitworth has grown from 20 percent to 34 percent.

We are committed not only to helping students enroll at Whitworth but persist, thrive and graduate. We will continue to offer and strengthen our BUCS Bridge pre-orientation program to assist first-generation students and/or students from historically underrepresented backgrounds in identifying resources, receiving peer-mentoring and building community as they onboard at Whitworth. We are launching a new Multicultural Leadership Program that will provide scholarships and leadership training for students who are identified as emerging community leaders from first-generation, lower-income and/or historically underrepresented backgrounds. Our academic departments and programs will continue to evaluate our curriculum and pedagogy so that all students experience belonging in our classrooms and receive a culturally rich and relevant education. And our Intercultural Student Center will continue to offer and develop intercultural programming for our community.

The Supreme Court's ruling will no doubt be a pivotal decision. Whitworth University will continue to elevate its mission and to reflect God's diversity within our community so that we can be a place where students from all backgrounds are welcomed and given the resources needed to flourish at Whitworth and beyond. 

Sincerely,

Scott McQuilkin         
President
 
Joshue Orozco                                                
Vice President for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
 
Josh Hibbard,
Vice President for Enrollment Management