Donnelly College has been named the most diverse college in the Midwest, according to an announcement.
The college in Kansas City, Kansas, topped the U.S. New and World Report list of ethnically diverse colleges in the Midwest.
The college’s ranking is a reflection of its status as the region’s only federally designated Minority-Serving Institution and Hispanic-Serving Institution.
“We are proud to receive this national recognition highlighting one of our strongest assets – our diverse student body,” said Donnelly President, Monsignor Stuart Swetland, in a news release. “Students come to Donnelly for many reasons – our affordability, our urban location, our nurturing campus environment, and especially our academic programs. However, decade after decade, students tell us that student diversity is often a top factor that helps them choose to attend and find success here.
“It is rare to find a college that has a majority of minority students, especially in this region,” he said. “We know that our students find comfort, security and confidence in that. As a Catholic college, we believe in the innate dignity and worth of each person, and that is something we strive to make tangible to our students each day in their campus experience.”
Students at Donnelly often mention the difference.
“I love the diversity at Donnelly,” one student said. “I feel 100 percent safe and accepted. I believe, above all, we feel equal here. In the classroom, I don’t feel any less because [of who I am].”
Last year, Donnelly’s student population was made up of 84 percent students of color representing 33 countries (41 percent Hispanic, 29 percent African-American, 16 percent Caucasian, 6 percent two or more races, 5 percent other, and 3 percent Asian). The 2017 graduating class was 92 percent students of color and included 79 percent first-generation students.
The diversity found at Donnelly represents the college’s neighborhood, and also reflects the college’s commitment to the urban core since its founding in 1949. Kansas City, Kansas, Mayor Mark Holland often notes that Wyandotte County is one of the most diverse counties in the nation, as there is no ethnic majority among constituents.
“The richness of our campus experience has always been due in large part to the diversity of our student body,” Swetland said. “The world is increasingly interconnected and our nation is seeing racial tensions that we have not witnessed in generations. More than ever, this requires higher education to foster a global perspective and an understanding of individuals different than one’s self. Our board, faculty and staff are proud of our students and how their diversity enriches our learning environment.”
As a small, private Catholic college, Donnelly has not always registered in national or regional rankings. However, for the last five years, Donnelly also has made another important ranking – the U.S. Department of Education’s top 100 lists for most affordable private, not-for-profit four-year colleges.
Because Donnelly does not require the ACT or SAT for admission, Donnelly College is not included in the overall ranking of colleges and universities in the Midwest or nationally.
“Our commitment to providing an affordable private, Catholic college opportunity is not unrelated to our exceptional student diversity,” Swetland said. “This country is facing a growing higher education accessibility gap, and far too often that gap is a product of economic challenges, not ability.”
“Donnelly is creating the workforce of the future – a diverse workforce that is critically needed in our region’s businesses,” said Dick Flanigan, Donnelly’s chair of the board of directors and Cerner Health Services president. “Donnelly’s mission to increase college opportunity is more needed than ever, and continues to impact our larger community.”