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News

UH gets nod for diversity

Magazine ranks University 12th among top 100 in degrees awarded to minority students

Cougar News Service

UH has again been recognized because of the diversity of its students.

The national magazine Diverse Issues in Higher Education ranked the University No. 12 among the top 100 colleges in the nation awarding undergraduate degrees to minority students.

Stuart Dryer, recipient of the Excellence in Scholarship Award and John and Rebecca Moores professor and chairman of the UH department of biology and biochemistry, said he was pleased with the University's standing.

"I am happy, but not surprised, that UH ranked highly in graduating minority students. Talented students can achieve great things when given the opportunity," Dryer said in a release.

In the 2004-2005 academic year, the biomedical sciences at UH were ranked No. 15, with minority students representing almost 51 percent of the total number of graduating seniors, according to the U.S. Department of Education.

The business and marketing program was also recognized for graduating a high amount of minority students. It ranked No. 4 in the nation with almost 900 minority students representing 58 percent of the students graduating in that field.

Another program highlighted in the magazine is the psychology program, which was ranked No. 8 with minority graduates representing 53 percent of the recipients of undergraduate psychology degrees.

UH psychology department chairman and professor David Francis said student diversity is a major strength.

"Our students, many of whom are first-generation college students, receive an outstanding education due to the rigors of our academic programs and the opportunities for research and practical experience they are offered by being in one of the top-funded psychology departments in the country," Francis said in a release. 

According to UH statistics, in the fall of 2005, out of the 35,344 students enrolled, 38.5 percent were white, 18.9 percent Asian/Pacific islander, 18.5 percent Hispanic, 13.9 blake, 7.8 percent international and 0.4 percent Native American.

According to U.S. News and World Report rankings, UH is the most ethnically diverse major urban research institution in the country. Hispanic Outlook on Higher Education magazine ranked UH No. 15 in the country for the amount of bachelor's degrees awarded to Hispanic students.

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