A new certificate is available from the Cultural, Community and International Services division of Student Affairs for students interested in learning more about what some are calling the “browning of America.”

Dr. Cheryl Taylor, a statistical analyst, has been working for years with other faculty to launch a diversity certificate that would recognize students interested in learning cultural awareness.

“They can learn acceptance of others,” Taylor said. “We know that companies are looking for students who already have these experiences. Fortune 500 companies have already shown that diversity or knowledge of diverse others, are key to being successful.”

This is another way TCU students can help TCU fulfill its mission statement, Taylor said. The number of non-white students enrolled at TCU has increased to 27.9 percent.

Junior political science major Alejandra Benavidez said she’s interested in earning the certificate and is trying to learn more about the program.

“When I heard about it, it sounded like a good thing to challenge myself before I graduated,” Benavidez said.

Rochelle Smith, a first year political science major, is working on obtaining her certificate. She said she hopes it will help her to “have a broader perspective or difference when [she’s] learning.”

The Inclusiveness Initiative is working on getting graduation cords for students who graduate who complete the Inclusiveness Initiative, Taylor said.

Students who are interested in participating in the program can go to Jarvis Hall for a meeting with Taylor, who will examine the student’s degree plan and evaluate their standing.