
In this special report, we look at diversity through a somewhat novel lens — that of geography. Our coverage examines how a college’s location affects its mission, its ability to recruit students and faculty members, and its campus culture. You’ll hear from academics who moved to an unlikely location and loved it — and others who left it. Yet others describe working or studying on the outskirts of Detroit, on the Spirit Lake Dakota Sioux reservation in North Dakota, and in Alaska’s vast interior.
Geography can divide people, both physically and politically, but some academics are eager to bridge those divides. One scholar, worried that large rural states like his are being left behind in the digital economy, proposes creating a “cyber-land-grant” university system financed by Silicon Valley. Meanwhile, a college president — a gay, black urbanite — who moved to a rural state not knowing what to expect has been pleasantly surprised. “The most important parts of the human experience,” he writes, “are remarkably similar across time and geography.”
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News
How Do Rural Colleges Attract Students? Safety and Scenery, to Begin With
They make the most of their “off the beaten path” locations to draw students and faculty members. -
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At This Rural Vermont College, Students and Staff Members Get a Vote
Consensus-style government is a “powerful magnet,” says the president. -
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‘A Little Slice of Paradise’ to Study
At Northland College, 90 percent of courses deal with sustainability. -
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Think You Work in a Silo? Try Life at America’s Most Remote Flagship
Yes, Fairbanks gets cold and dark, but the University of Alaska still has a mission to fulfill. -
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At the World’s Only University-Owned Rocket Range, Wild Blueberries and Stunning Launches
Volcanoes, permafrost, and a lengthy coastline with sea ice are a few of the natural wonders that scientists flock to Alaska to study. -
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A University Draws Rural and Native Students From the Vastness of Alaska’s Interior
Homesickness and cultural isolation are challenges in Fairbanks, where “home” might be hundreds of miles and two airplane flights away. -
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Silicon Valley Must Help Rural America. Here’s How.
The wealth created in new digital spaces should be used on cybereducation programs for people and places being left behind — programs that would also enhance our national security. -
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A Gay, African-American Urbanite Finds a Home in Rural Iowa
A college president, once a city dweller, sees his rural post as an opportunity to live at a cultural intersection, among neighbors. -
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How I Built a Life for Myself at a White College
Had I known the cascading effects of taking a position in Colorado Springs, I probably would have declined the job offer. -
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We Asked: What’s Important About Your College’s Location?
Some scholars’ expectations were confirmed. Others found that their regions defied stereotypes. -
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How You Can Help Low-Income Students With Culture Shock
Students from poor and working-class backgrounds can struggle even after making it to your elite campus. -
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Hard Questions About Diversity, Honest Answers
Why we embrace the messy art of authentic conversations at Southern Methodist University. -
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Diversity Fatigue Is Real
It’s debilitating to be asked constantly to give free lessons in cultural competency, while negotiating resistance from other corners. -
Data
How Diverse Are Student Populations on College Campuses in the U.S.?
Explore new data on the race, ethnicity, and gender of students at more than 3,800 colleges and universities.