Diversity check at NHMCCD
So-called minority students are the majority only at NHC

It was pointed out in last week’s article, that Dr. David Sam, president of North Harris College (NHC) was seemingly wrestling with an “educational albatross,” as he dealt with budget woes, lack of course offerings and diversity issues at the college which he has led since August, 2000.
This week, AAN&I looks at the North Harris Montgomery Community College District as a whole in an attempt to answer the question, “Does North Harris Montgomery Community College District (NHMCCD) really want diversity?” Ranked fourth among the largest community college districts in Texas, NHMCCD has five campuses and seven satellite centers, with a enrollment of over 30,000 students. Of those 30,000 plus students, nearly 20,000 are White, almost 3,200 are Black, about 3,800 are Hispanic; about 1,600 are Asian and there are about 1,300 other or undetermined ethnicity. Enrollments for non-Whites showed over a 20% increase from fall 2000 to fall 2001.
Examining the diversity issue, we find that the majority of students of color (5,947 out of 10,373) are enrolled at either NHC or its two satellite Centers - Parkway or Carver. This amounts to 57%.
Data for 2001 credit students, puts the White population at NHC at 4,353, roughly 42% of the total number of students enrolled. Clearly, the so-called minority students are in the majority.
It is a good thing that so many minority students are seeking higher learning which in itself belies common convention which suggests that Blacks especially, are lagging behind when it comes to the pursuit of education beyond high school years.

However, these statistics are problematic for an institution seeking true diversity. It would seem that the district would put at the forefront the hiring of faculty and staff that would reflect the diversity of the student population- at least at NHC. The most recent district statistics for NHC show a total of 505 employees. Breaking down this number along racial lines, you will find that 340 are White, 83 Black, 60 Hispanic, 15 Asian and 7 other.
The total non-White employees is about 33%. On the surface, it would seem that the district overall has done a fair job. But the dilemma rears its ugly head when one looks at the number of employees who are in administration and in faculty positions.
NHC’s recent publications shows only 3 non-White administrators out of 18 (17%) and only 31 non-White faculty members out of 194 (16%). Looking at the professional staff category, the percentage of non-Whites is slightly higher 30%--20 non-Whites out of a total of 66. With just over 200 employees working in support staff positions, non-Whites make up slightly more than 50% percent (108 non-White employees).

Ironically, this is the only category (support staff positions) in which the make up of the student population actually mirrors that of NHC employees. What’s the big deal? Students, who go into higher education hoping that based on their preparedness, they have a realistic chance of advancing to the same levels as their fellows, see through this thinly disguised veil of diversity.
Professing a commitment to diversity when the facts speak differently is not sufficient. NHMCCD must make a concentrated effort to do more. How? First, the District and its Board must exercise true leadership, vision, and professionalism. Qualified non-Whites with the college district and in the community at large deserve to be administrators and faculty members.
The District Office should manifest more openness in hiring instead of the dismal record of having only 4 non-Whites out of 32 (12%) working in administrative positions, through the rank and file. Nevertheless, it may be difficult to persuade the colleges of the necessity for diversity if they look at the top leadership for an example. After almost three decades, there are only 1 president and 1 vice president of color, both at NHC. The other four presidents and 13 vice presidents are White.
NHMCCD’s record on including non-whites in its system is disappointing. Each colleges should consist of a diverse administration, faculty, staff, and student body.

While the student body at NHMCCD, - NHC especially, has become more diverse; the same can’t be said for the administration, faculty and professional staff. This begs the question, is the issue of diversity only a matter for NHC, although there are 4 other colleges in the system?