Recognized for campus diversity
Indiana University Northwest was recently included on U.S. News and World Report's annual rankings of national and regional universities, prominently placed on the list of top regional universities for campus ethnic diversity. IU Northwest ranked 11th in the Midwest and 48th in the nation. The category recognizes campuses where students are most likely to encounter undergraduates from racial and ethnic groups different from their own.
This fall, 49 percent of the student body at IU Northwest are students of color. Hispanic/Latino students represent a record share of 27 percent of the undergraduate students, earning the campus a federal designation as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) that allows IU Northwest to apply for additional Title V funding from the Department of Education. It recently received a $5 million HSI grant to increase the number of students graduating with degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
"Our mission is to enhance the quality of life in Northwest Indiana and thus we are a deliberate reflection of our local communities," said Chancellor Ken Iwama. "When students come to IU Northwest, they are welcomed by people from across the region who look like them, understand their needs, and are committed to their success."
Iwama points to the school's vast array of support services for students, and the strong faculty-student bond, as key reasons for its success in attracting and retaining students of color.
