Hispanic Leaders for the Larger Community: The Surge in the Hispanc Population Creates Opportunities for Increased Diversity and Inclusiveness

Abstract

As the first Hispanic dean of Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law and the first female Cuban American dean of any ABA accredited law school in the country, I face the non-unique challenge of attracting minority students and maintaining diversity in the law school community. Since that time, during my tenure as dean, the percentage of minority students in our entering class increased by eleven percent. In many ways, Barry Law School mirrors the community that surrounds it, and the school has made efforts to serve its diverse region and leverage its location. Across the nation, the demographic shift is not just in states that have traditionally had a large concentration of Hispanics, like California, Texas, and Florida. Small, rural towns in the Midwest, like West Liberty, Iowa, have seen an influx of Hispanics. These rapidly growing communities are facing challenges that come with increasing minority populations, including the blending of cultural differences and overcoming language barriers. As dean, I place a high priority in ensuring that Barry Law School produces leaders equipped with the skills to meet these challenges.

Keywords: Hispanics, diversity, Hispanic population

JEL Classification: J11, J15, J18, K00