City College of New York, which served as a symbol of American higher education’s past by not charging tuition for decades and producing successful alumni, has been succeeded by Baruch College. Baruch College has continued the legacy of educating the masses by serving a diverse student body and maintaining a high graduation rate. The school’s commitment to economic diversity and success for low-income students has been recognized by organizations like the American Talent Initiative.
Michael Bloomberg, after his tenure as mayor of New York City, focused on philanthropy and increasing economic diversity in higher education. The American Talent Initiative, which he leads, aims to diversify colleges with high graduation rates. Baruch College is highlighted as a model for its economic diversity and success in providing clear pathways for students to earn degrees. The initiative also set a goal to increase enrollment of low- and moderate-income students, but progress stalled in 2019-20 due to various factors.
The new report from the American Talent Initiative shows that enrollment of lower-income students at colleges with high graduation rates declined in recent years. To combat this, the initiative has implemented stricter guidelines for member colleges to commit to specific lower-income enrollment levels. Some colleges, including Penn State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, and Denison, have dropped out due to their lack of commitment to economic diversity. However, 125 colleges, including Baruch College and several others, remain committed to increasing economic diversity and upward mobility.
Several successful strategies for increasing economic diversity in higher education institutions have been cited in the report. These include reducing merit aid, recruiting more transfers from community colleges, and providing support for students to navigate the complexities of higher education. Baruch College’s mission is to educate a student body that reflects society at large and increase upward mobility as a result. The college’s diversity reflects that of New York City, providing opportunities for students from diverse backgrounds.
In the realm of competitive quizzing, Brandon Blackwell’s journey to Imperial College London for a career in competitive quizzing is highlighted. Blackwell’s appearance on the popular quiz show “University Challenge” in 2020 raised his profile and turned Imperial College into a powerhouse in competitive quizzing. Despite already having a degree, Blackwell applied to Imperial College London to pursue his passion and ultimately found success on the quiz show, showcasing the diverse opportunities available in higher education.
