The program involves a variety of curricular and co-curricular activities. Students all live in one co-ed residence hall on campus. Twice a month, the Phelps Scholars, faculty, and staff members meet to discuss diversity-related topics. In these sessions, we conduct role-playing exercises, discuss such topics as white privilege and diversity in the workplace, and host alumni speakers.
Students also bring their own diversity experiences into our discussions.
One student, Nora Staal, for instance, presented a photo-essay she created on housing issues in Hebron while she was in high school in Tel Aviv. Students also participate in and sponsor social events and field trips including trips to a nearby Hispanic Festival and to Detroit's Museum of African-American History. What Students Gain A liberal arts college of nearly 3,000 students, Hope was founded in 1851 by immigrants from The Netherlands, and continues to draw nearly one-third of its students from the Dutch Reformed tradition. We have completed only one semester of the program, but we've been very pleased by the results thus far. We have learned several things in this first semester.