About the Youth Diversity & Leadership Institute

As part of its mission, the Texas Diversity Council is committed to developing initiatives that directly benefit our youth. A key area of focus is education and the implementation of programs that increase opportunities for underrepresented youth in higher education.

According to theU.S. Department of Education, the 2005 high school dropout rate among white persons 16 to 24 years old was six (6) percent, while the dropout rate for African Americans was ten (10) percent. Among Hispanics, the dropout rate was twenty-two (22) percent.

In higher education, we are well aware of the relatively low participation of women and people of color in the fields of engineering, math and science. A study by Princeton University indicates that special factors discourage students of color from participating in science and engineering careers. They often lack academic preparedness, role models, mentors, teacher encouragement, parental and peer support, awareness of career opportunities, and financial resources. Among various recommendations to increase participation in these careers, the study presents a strong case for initiatives that offer students of color the opportunity to experience college life prior to graduating from high school.

Our proposed project, the Youth Diversity Leadership Institute (YDLI), will provide underrepresented student populations the opportunity to experience college life prior to their high school graduation, with the purpose of encouraging participation in higher education. The project will target students from all races and ethnicities that come who come from economically-disadvantaged families across Texas, are first-generation, college-bound, and are considered at-risk.