What Makes Racial Diversity Work in Higher Education: Academic Leaders Present Successful Policies and Strategies

What Makes Racial Diversity Work in Higher Education: Academic Leaders Present Successful Policies and Strategies, edited by Frank W. Hale, Jr. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing, 2004, 336 pp., $23.95, paperback. Frank W. Hale, Jr.'s edited volume provides essays on racial diversity and its impact on higher education. Racial diversity as a system of values, resource allocation, and institutional policies and practices is the central theme that permeates this volume. The purpose of the book is to highlight ways institutions have addressed the under-representation of students, faculty, and administrators of color. The 18 chapters include previously published essays as well as original essays from researchers and practitioners in the field. Frank W. Hale, Jr. is an early scholar and practitioner in the field of diversity. He has held faculty positions at Central State University (Ohio), served as president of Oakwood College in Huntsville, Alabama, and from 1971 to 1988, held various faculty and administrative positions at the Ohio State University. It was at the Ohio State University that he assumed the administrative position of Vice Provost for Minority Affairs and Assistant to the President. His work in the area of diversity makes him highly qualified to edit a book that examines practical approaches to the removal of racial barriers that hinder the educational and career goals of people of color. Dr. William E. Kirwan, Chancellor of the University System of Maryland, sets the stage for this book. In his foreword, he highlights three reasons higher education must create a more inclusive campus environment. Correction of past inequities, development of a high-quality workforce, and the value added to the education of all students in a diverse educational community are cited as critical reasons to continue to work for racial diversity on our college campuses. He suggests that "neutrality alone cannot erase the effects of centuries of discrimination" (p. xxii) and that it is through continued effort that differences will be viewed as strengths and diversity will be an essential part of excellence. Dr. Hale provides an introduction that examines the historical limits and challenges of diversity. He argues that institutions must "free themselves from worn out forms of engagement" (p. 19) while championing the need for time, creativity, and commitment in the restructuring of institutional mission and focus on programs and activities. However, Dr. Hale has selected nineteen scholars and practitioners as contributors to this volume that have written on well-established programs, personal experiences in academe, or theoretical and research-focused approaches to diversity. A number of chapters describe successful programs across the country. For example, M. Rick Turner describes the office of African American Affairs at the University of Virginia, while Donald Brown provides insight into a successful program at Boston College. Lee Jones describes the development of the Office of Multicultural Student Services at Washington State University and Mac A. Stewart highlights programs that have worked at the Ohio State University. Freeman A Hrabowski, III focuses on minority students and successful programs in science and engineering while Myra Gordon discusses best practices for diversification of faculty. …