UHH ranked most-diverse four-year school

The Chronicle of Higher Education has ranked the University of Hawaii at Hilo as the most diverse four-year public institution in the country. The UH System filled out all the top spots in that category, with UH-Maui College, UH-West Oahu and UH-Manoa ranking in Nos. 2-4, respectively.

Windward Community College not only led the two-year public institution rankings but was also rated as the single most diverse campus in the nation. Hawaii Community College, Kauai Community College and Leeward Community College rounded out the top four in that category, followed by Berkeley City College, Honolulu Community College and Kapiolani Community College.

“This outstanding ranking is due to the work of faculty and staff in making UH Hilo an accessible campus where students from diverse backgrounds can succeed. It is always great to be identified as number one for something, but when it is for something that really matters, and in which we take pride, we have reason to celebrate,” said UH-Hilo Chancellor Don Straney.

The Chronicle’s diversity index uses national data to calculate the probability that any two students at an institution are from different racial or ethnic groups.

“I did my undergrad in the mainland and for them I think it is a little different because they don’t get to see as much cultural diversity as we do here, so I think it is good for UH students to see different cultures and different people, and everything like that. It makes us a lot more tolerant and understanding of other cultures,” said UH-Manoa graduate student Kasie Tanabe.

“The exceptional rankings of our entire UH System are not only a reflection of Hawaii’s unique island diversity but also a testament to the commitment and passion of our faculty, staff and students in celebrating and supporting our diversity,” said UH President David Lassner.