Applying Holland's typology to the study of differences in student views about diversity

Using data from a survey of more that 1900 first-year students at a large research institution, this paper applies Holland's theory of personality and environment to examine the ways in which students view diversity. Holland categories, individual characteristics such as race and gender, and interactions with people of color prior to college, significantly predict students' beliefs and attitudes about issues related to diversity at the time that they enter college.