School of Advanced International Studies
Goal: Increase enrollment of U.S. underrepresented minority students pursuing Master’s degree programs
Future State
- By Fall 2027 significantly increase underrepresented minority students enrolling in Master’s degree programs at the Washington, DC campus
- Expanded recruitment networks which will leverage internal communities (alumni, students, faculty) that prioritize an understanding and appreciation of diversity outreach
- Establish committee review process on admissions diversity outreach efforts; include the future Assistant Dean of D,E,I, & Assistant Dean of Student Affairs
- Implicit bias training will be conducted annually for admissions staff to increase awareness about discrimination in admissions
- Establish and review diversity recruitment dashboard to acquire data analytics and measure effectiveness in targeted programs and outreach initiatives
Timeline
- Conduct joint recruitment initiatives with peer graduate international relations schools to broaden awareness of international relations offerings and career opportunities among Historically Black Colleges & Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and Minority Serving Institutions [Year 1 -Year 5]
- Drive underrepresented student applications by hosting an annual virtual Diversity Summit forum detailing admissions/financial aid processes, showcase of SAIS student leaders, and administrative support which is hosted during SAIS Diversity Week [Year 1- Year 5]
- Broaden awareness of the Public Service Fellows and Scholars Program to underrepresented populations that have proven leadership and are actively engaged and/or aspire to a career in public service. [Year 1: Q1-Q2]
- Expand resources for graduate recruitment efforts, such as expanding Admissions Fellows programming around the underrepresented prospective student experience (on-campus and off site). [Year 2: Q1-Q2]
- The Assistant Dean will design and evaluate a culturally relevant recruitment experience that leverages underrepresented alumni and current students to help drive applications and improve yield [Year 2: Q1-Q2]
- Advocate for strong financial support packages with amounts that are competitive with peer schools and large enough to meet the needs of students [Year 1 – Year 5]
- Gather information from focus area faculty periodically concerning recruiting, admission and enrollment of underrepresented students. Responses will be valuable for identifying actions and resources needed to accomplish key goals. [Year 1: Q2]
- Expand outreach to non-profit, public, multilateral and educational organizations that prepare students for careers in international affairs (i.e., foreign policy and national security). [Year 1 –Year 5]
- Strengthen SAIS’s ability to enroll an academically strong, diverse student body by developing a direct admissions program for top-tiered HBCU graduates [Year 2 – Year 5]
- Participate in targeted diversity recruitment graduate forums (APSIA Summer Diversity Forum, Charles Rangel Scholars Presentation, PPIA Expo, HBCU Honors graduate fairs) [Year 1 –Year 5]
- Employ application pipeline strategy by hosting an annual Hopkins Model UN conference that will attract undergraduate students at HBCUs and Minority Serving Institutions [Year 2 :Q2]
