Life at Richmond: Diversity

No matter who you are, where you come from or what you believe, you'll find an environment at Richmond that values diversity in all of its forms–ethnic, socio-economic, geographic, sexual orientation, political, religious and others. The Richmond campus is quite diverse–of our current full-time undergraduate students, 12 percent are American students of color and 5 percent are international students from over 70 countries. In addition, 7 percent of our first-year students are members of the first generation of their family to attend college. Also, 69 percent of all students receive some form of financial assistance. Other types of diversity are difficult to quantify but no less important.

Several University offices provide services and programs that support diversity on campus:

  • Office of Multicultural Student Affairs helps students of color adapt to college life and plans events and programs that are of interest to the entire University community. A voluntary pre-orientation program for students of diverse racial and cultural backgrounds is designed to facilitate the transition of students to the University.

  • The Common Ground initiative assists members of the University in taking full advantage of the rich benefits of working and learning in a community made up of individuals derived from varied backgrounds. Its goals include celebrating our existing diversity as well as attracting a more diverse student body and faculty to campus.

  • University Chaplaincy helps students of all faiths develop their intellectual, spiritual, social and physical abilities.

  • Office of International Education provides a film series, language chats, International Week activities, a student ambassador program, a host family program and study abroad opportunities to both international and American students. A special orientation program offers incoming first-year international students several sessions designed to help lessen the cultural adjustment to a new educational system and culture.

  • Writing Center assists students who are learning English as a second language as well as those who just need feedback on their writing.

  • The Office of Financial Aid offers generous need- and merit-based financial aid programs that help make a Richmond education affordable for students of all family income levels.

  • Dining Services provides a daily vegetarian menu, offers kosher meals for Jewish religious holidays and hosts special events designed around diversity themes such as a "Soul Food Dinner" in honor of Black History Month.

In addition, several organizations provide students of diversity with leadership and social opportunities:

Students who wish to live in a vibrantly multi-cultural environment can apply to live in the Global House, a residence hall that is home to both international and American students.

Back to top