Diversity and Inclusion Master Plan

Asian American

37.91

28.1

12.8

11.9

8.8

5.6

US Population

NYS Population

NYS % of College Graduates

Optometry Schools

SUNY Optometry

ODs State of NY

Figure 1.c. Educational Pipeline - Asian

While the overall US population is 61% White, 26% URM (Black and Hispanics) and 3.6% Asian, the New York state population is 56% White, 36.4% URM, and 8.8% Asian, racially and ethnically more diverse compared to the nation as a whole. The pipeline into optometry schools is highly dependent on college graduation rates and the course of study chosen by the students. IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) data indicate that URMs represent 17% of the students in biological sciences nationwide, compared to 57% White and 18% Asian. College graduation rates in New York State also differ by race and ethnicity; of college graduates in the state of New York, 51% are White, 23.7% are URMs, and 11% Asian. Clearly, the direction of the pipeline for Whites and Asians is in stark contrast with that of URMs. Asians are represented above the total size of the US population for that group in optometry schools nationwide, at SUNY Optometry, and in the profession of optometry. Whites are evenly represented at schools around the country and slightly underrepresented at SUNY Optometry, but White ODs are above the state average in the State of New York. URMs on the other hand are highly underrepresented.

This disparity is an indication of an educational pipeline with a series of attenuations influenced by “leaks,” “filters” and “ manifolds .” Leaks are instances when students leave the pipeline before reaching their final goal, often represented by dropout rates. Filters are points in the pipeline in which only students with certain profiles are allowed to continue (i.e., standardized

Figure 2. Pipeline manifold

tests results, GPA, etc.), and ‘ manifolds ’ are points in which students can choose from different options (competitive students can choose from multiple healthcare professions). Leaks, filters and manifolds are complex and multifaceted issues. For instance, beyond graduation rates and major choices, students’ decisions to choose a profession are influenced by factors such role models, college advisors, and the media. Any strategies to address access issues must include a comprehensive solution that takes into consideration all elements of the pipeline. Since fixing leaks may require major

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