When people enter SCAD-Atlanta, they may notice that there are a varied selection of people from all different nationalities. They all come from distinct walks of life too. The population at SCAD-Atlanta is certainly rich in diversity.
Art Malloy, dean of student services, said that diversity at SCAD-Atlanta means several things. “SCAD is a community of artists, each of whom brings to campus a uniqueness that is worthy of celebration,” he said of the student population.
“Gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, race, age, culture, national origin, religion, specialty as an artist, musical taste, body sizes, and a host or other differences,” Malloy said, “are blended together to comprise the SCAD-Atlanta student population. The richness of our diversity is reflected in the faculty and staff.”
As of fall 2008, the international student population was 9 percent, which comprises over 40 countries, according to Bridget Hintz, Director of Executive Admission at SCAD-Atlanta. There is also a diversity of ethnicity, which includes American Indian or Alaskan Native, Black, Hispanic, Multiracial, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and White, according to Raymetta L. Johnson-Lawrence, Coordinator of Institutional Effectiveness.
Malcolm Barrett, a second-year fashion student, said that he appreciates the diversity SCAD has to offer. “Not only do you get to learn about different cultures and traditions, you get to learn how other people think,” he said, “Each race has a different way of doing things and by SCAD having such a diverse population you get to learn how to think and do some things in different ways.”
“Everyone from different cultures have different ideas to bring not only to SCAD but to friends as well,” said Jasmine Brandon, a second-year graphic design student, “So, seeing new things is very wonderful. You’ll become so open minded to new things and new experiences.”
Brandon also said that she is grateful to go to a school that allows students to experience different aspects of life.
“It’s excellent,” said Nathan Sharratt, a second-year animation student, when talking about how so many nations are represented at SCAD. “You get a lot of different perspectives. It broadens your own understanding. It forces you not to have a narrow perspective.” Eunice Oluoch, a graduate digital photography student, said that for people who never had the opportunity to travel outside of the country, it almost as if they can have the world come to them. “SCAD has students from all over the world,” she said, “I’ve met students from Vietnam, Brazil, Scotland, and Japan. These are the places I’ve never been to.”
“It’s good to meet people from different cultures because you can learn from them. Social interaction is a real education itself, “ said Oluoch.
Joy Taney, a fourth-year sequential art student, said he wasn’t so overwhelmed by the varied population of SCAD-Atlanta.
“I live in a neighborhood where I’m a minority myself,” she said, “I guess the interesting thing is that for other people, it can be a cultural shock, but for me, it was not a cultural shock and it’s part of my life.”
“This diversity, in my opinion, is one of the greatest characteristics of SCAD-Atlanta,” said Malloy. He said that it adds value to the education of each student and the faculty and staff. “We are constantly enriched because of our interactions. I continue to learn more about the world and about the state of its future leaders as a result of my conversations with students.”
“I challenge the students to use it as a laboratory,” Malloy said of the school and its distinct student population, “by exploring other cultures and digging a little deeper to compare and contrast differences. Ask questions. You might be pleasantly surprised by the answers.”