Conclusion-Executive Summary

Understanding and responding to cultural diversity of students is an important step that will contribute to increased academic achievement amongst all students. It is important that we as professionals continue to support research and legislation regarding the achievement of african american and minority students so the achievement gap can begin to close. With education changing, I feel there will be a wider gap with the onslaught of online learning taking hold over our educational systems. Its our job to build a strong sense of community with our students, giving them status and recognition, increasing self esteem, having open and honest discussions regarding race and socio-economic backgrounds. As health professionals it is increasingly important to bridge the gap to all students so that they are comfortable in the delivery of care to all patients, or all races. By building a system of support that encourages recruitment and retention of students, you help add to the cultural mix that all students can learn from.

Race is a part of our society, but racism does not have to be. It was noted that adult learning theories do not address the unique cultural and historical issues that are found in varying cultures. As educators, think about what you will do to promote equitable education to all your students. What extra steps will you take to help higher achievement be a viable goal for all. In nursing we constantly speak on the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities, but studies show that education and health are linked, and the better the education of a society, the better the health of a society.

There is no "answer" to the problem. The problem doesn't begin in college. But as educators, health care professionals, and people living in society, it is our responsibility to help close these gaps. We must learn to be open to learning from one another. We must make the attempt to learn from and about one another. We must stop being so closed minded to the systemic oppression of marginalized societies in America and all over the world.

As you continue to learn, I pray that we each just take the time to get to know others that are different from ourselves. I pray that you incorporate different learning methods and styles so that all of your students can benefit. I also ask that you take time to talk to your students, and learn their background, learn about what they perceive as their barriers to learning and attempt to make the road "less" bumpy. Not everyone will succeed, but the reasons they don't succeed shouldn't be because they do not have instructors that support them, or institutions that recognize their needs.

I would like to end with a quote from the book "The Unchosen Me, Race, Gender and Identity Among Black Women in College by Rachelle Winkle-Wagner. In the book she states " How great a personal cost is too much to pay for a college degree? Some students, namely students of color, continue to pay a higher personal price. Even after they gain access and matriculate, they experience impositions on their identity in the predominately white environment. These identity impositions can provide insight into the way that race and gender are created in unequal ways.