Student Experiences with Diversity at Liberal Arts Colleges: Another Claim for Distinctiveness

This study explores the relationship between organizational and individual characteristics and diversity-related experiences at liberal arts colleges. Compared with their counterparts at other types of institutions, students at liberal arts colleges report more experiences with diversity. In addition, this study also finds that diversity experiences are positively related with a variety of student outcomes. Gains in Learning and Intellectual Development Gains in Personal and Social Development (seniors =.81; 1 st year students =.80) Contributed to: Developing a personal code of values and ethics Very much, quite a bit, some, very little Contributed to: Understanding people of other racial and ethnic backgrounds Very much, quite a bit, some, very little Contributed to: Understanding yourself Very much, quite a bit, some, very little Contributed to: Improving the welfare of your community Very much, quite a bit, some, very little Contributed to: Learning effectively on your own Very much, quite a bit, some, very little Contributed to: Working effectively with others Very much, quite a bit, some, very little Gains in General Education (seniors =.81; 1 st