Diversity Statement
Many institutions, MGH Institute of Health Professions being one of them has made strides towards improving diversity and inclusivity, however students are also obliged to create an environment that supports this culture. There are various measures or efforts that as a student I can help the institution to ensure that their dream of inclusivity and diversity is achieved within the institution. One way to achieve this is by being interactive. As a student it is my responsibility to ensure that students who happen to join the institution do not feel marginalized. In many institutions there is no interaction among students from different backgrounds and cultures. Most students who come from overseas do experience culture shock and they suffer from isolation and this makes it harder for them to integrate with the native students within their new environment. Interaction between native students and new students does break this barrier and in turn promotes inclusivity.
As a student I can also write recommendations to the administration on some of the measures they can put in place to promote inclusivity and diversity. As a student I am able to observe diversity and inclusivity from a different perspective within the institution and this provides one with knowledge on how a certain conditions can be improved. For example, it is important for any institution that strives towards promoting diversity and inclusivity to ensure that there is proper intersectionality which relates to how different faculties (i.e. students and staff) occupy/use social environments within the institution (Dooley, 8). As a student I am better off in providing much information on how intersectionality can be improved within the institution to promote inclusivity. Intersectionality does challenge stereotypes which come about as a result of difference in cultures. Researches and surveys can also be conducted by interviewing the new students on how they feel about the institution and how the institution can help to improve their situations. A conclusive report can be represented and presented to the administration.
Actively creating awareness on the importance of inclusivity and diversity might help the campus in creating a climate welcoming students who will enrich the institution’s diversity. Misinformation through social media considering how fast word spreads has created an obstacle in promoting inclusivity as a result of spread of fake news. However, such platform can be used for greater purpose such as educating people on the importance of diversity and inclusivity. There are students out there who don’t believe in inclusivity and diversity which might be as a result of misinformation or ignorance but if they can be provided with the right information their perspective might change. If most students are on board with the idea of inclusivity the automatically everyone would be supportive and welcoming towards new students from different cultures. As a fellow student it is also my responsibility to ensure that the students from overseas/different cultures by providing a helping hand. This can be in form of teaching them the new language or provide them with tools to improve their communication skills. Since most of them do face culture shock I can also help them to be aware of their surrounding by giving them a tour of their new environment.
Work Cited
Dooley, Jon, et al. “Striving for an inclusive and nurturing campus: Cultivating the intersections.” Intersectionality in action: A guide for faculty and campus leaders for creating inclusive classrooms and institutions (2016): 63-76.