Editor,

Reading the article “PDCCC president serves on ‘diverse workforce’ panel,” [Sunday, April 21, 2019] we were puzzled by the references in the article of teaming the need for skilled workers with the need for a diverse work group. We would understand the purpose or goal of a community college or any other educational institution is to improve the understanding, knowledge or skills of the individual who happens to attend.

The joint collective of the need of educating a diverse work group means that the institution would purposely look for or recruit students of various backgrounds, ethnicity, religion or race. Should not its purpose be to look for or recruit the certain individuals who come to the institution who want to learn and better themselves whoever they may be?

Unsure about this teaming of the two as it gives the perception of tweaking or adjusting standards to ensure a “diverse” workforce and not the most skilled one.

Jonathan Varnell

Elm City, North Carolina