Web Editor’s Note: This is part two of a three-part series. To read the first part, click here. For the third part, click here!

College provides an environment for students to interact with people of different ethnicities. Studies have shown a positive correlation between education and the impact of diverse peers. According to the research journal Developmental Psychology, attending college is often considered to be a consciousness-raising experience, as college students have opportunities to learn about themselves and others through exposure to diverse perspectives, opinions, and ways of living. Hispanic students voiced their personal opinions on diversity at WTAMU.

“It exposes you to different cultures that you didn’t know about and it makes you a better, well-rounded person,” Brittany Castillo, a Communication major, said. She also said she believes it’s important to get to know everybody, especially their character and not just from the outside.

Edlyn Romero, a Spanish Education major, said she is proud of being Hispanic and it is a part of who she is, but does not want it to be a main identifier of herself because of stereotypes.

“There are all types of Hispanics who come from different backgrounds and were raised differently with unique values,” said Romero. She also believes that having diverse professors allows students to experience other perspectives and ideas. Taylor Stroud, a Mass Communication major, thinks diversity is an important factor in academic success. Stroud said he has daily interaction among students from different ethnicities and making connections is valuable.

According to the most recent summary statistics, WT’s population consists of 18 percent Hispanic students. Speaking Spanish is an attribute not limited to but is predominant among those students. Romero describes her bilingual abilities as different ways to express herself.

“The feeling I get saying a certain sentence can either be intensified in English or intensified in Spanish…I thinks everyone should learn Spanish,” she said.

The students interviewed said they did not feel discriminated against because of their Hispanic background. In fact, being a minority was beneficial for Romero in obtaining scholarships and being accepted into academic programs.

Additionally, they believed that a diverse classroom setting creates a beneficial learning environment and promotes dynamic discussions.