Historically marginalized groups have faced prejudice and discrimination in many facets of their lives including education. A lack of access to resources to prepare for, enter, and be successful in higher education has deterred and prevented many from this pursuit. Due to federal and state-mandated laws, grassroots initiatives, and shifting cultural beliefs, the demographics of college classrooms are changing.

What used to be viewed as a privilege for a small portion of the population, going to college and obtaining a degree is now seen as a right for all. Additionally, pursuing a higher education degree is often viewed as necessary to improve one's life circumstances and to keep up with our increasingly technologically-focused world.3

Higher education environments are now more culturally diverse than they have ever been. This shift, occurring over the last thirty years, has added a richer and fuller dynamic to education, but it has also presented challenges. Alongside these changes have been increased research and insight into how people learn best.3 When these factors are combined, educators are realizing that long-held beliefs about teaching do not hold up for our diverse student body. Differences in students' backgrounds affect how they view and interact with peers, instructors, educational content, and university culture.2 We need to leverage our students' unique learning needs and strengths to create curricula, assessments, and environments that honor diverse life experiences. We need to ensure that all students have access to the resources and tools necessary to be successful.

Reframing our views and implementing changes in our classrooms benefit everyone. It promotes belonging which improves academic performance and increases student motivation and engagement.4 A sense of belonging also helps alleviate stereotype threat- that is, it keeps students from developing anxiety over fulfilling negative stereotypes that are associated with their race, gender, ableness, etc. Students who experience increased levels of stress due to stereotype threat and a sense that they don't belong are being drained of cognitive resources that they otherwise could devote to their academics.4

Cultivating a sense of belonging and an awareness of others' life experiences also helps our students to become global thinkers.2 Our increasingly intertwined and interdependent world asks all of us to be aware of cultural differences and strive to use those as advantages, rather than divisions among ourselves. This is not an easy process as it requires self-reflection to confront our own biases. It also requires having difficult conversations and making mistakes but is well worth the effort.