November 6, 2011

To Get More Graduates, a College Pulls Students Out of Their Comfort Zone

Out of Their Comfort Zone 2

Darren Hauck for The Chronicle

Brianna Glossett joined a Mount Mary College program that seeks to prepare students for the workplace by discussing diversity.

Enlarge Image
close Out of Their Comfort Zone 2

Darren Hauck for The Chronicle

Brianna Glossett joined a Mount Mary College program that seeks to prepare students for the workplace by discussing diversity.

By Jennifer Gonzalez

Milwaukee

George Ann Casper, a corporate diversity trainer, recently told a roomful of students one of her favorite stories. She never tires of repeating it because of its potent message.

Years ago, Ms. Casper, who is black, and a white friend entered an elevator occupied by an older white couple. As Ms. Casper stood next to the older white woman, the woman shifted her purse from one shoulder to another, away from Ms. Casper, at the husband's urging. Ms. Casper was dismayed, thinking that the