Columbia Reinvigorates Minority Recruitment and Retention Push:
Sheila Carter Named Executive Director of Office of Multicultural Affairs
Declining minority enrollment and falling retention numbers are national crises in higher education. Founded with a mission of open access and opportunity in higher education, and a commitment to reflecting the diversity of contemporary America, Columbia College Chicago is concerned with reversing this trend.
To this end, the college has announced several initiatives to bolster its success in recruiting and retaining minority students:
> The addition of over 200 additional low-income scholarships, totaling more
than $1,000,000 for the 2006-7 academic year.
> Creation of a $100,000 fund, managed by the Office of Multicultural Affairs,
to support academic departments' multicultural efforts.
> A significant expansion of resources and staffing within Multicultural Affairs.
> Planning to significantly expand the Multicultural Student Space.
> The creation of a GLBT (Gay/Lesbian/Bisexual/Transgender) Student
Resource Center.
> The formation of a vibrant Black Faculty and Staff Organization.
Sheila Carter, who has been serving the college for more than 10 years - most recently as director of student activities, has been named executive director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs.
The newly created position is intended to guide the college community's implementation of the recommendations in the college's recently published report, 'Toward a Conscious College-wide Effort to Better Recruit and Retain Minority Students.'
Carter will work in concert with Latino Cultural Affairs, African American Cultural Affairs, Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual and Transgender Concerns and the upcoming Office of Asian Cultural Affairs not only to enhance recruitment but also to better meet the needs and concerns of current minority students.
Carter's philosophy of education is to encourage and support students as they seek to attain comprehensive and stimulating learning experiences in various fields of study. She also believes every student should have the opportunity to be productive in society, and to experience the empowerment of being the architects of their own success. She looks forward to her new position where she will implement programs that support the college's recruitment and retention efforts.
A native of Chicago, Carter received a B.A. in Telecommunications from Arizona State University, and is currently in the final phase of completing a Master of Arts degree program in Higher Education Administration from Chicago State University. Beyond Columbia, Sheila is a vocalist who sings professionally with a local R & B band, High Velocity, and also as a solo artist. She performs a variety of musical genres including gospel, R&B, pop and jazz.