PWI
Education & Academia abbreviation · Academic
| Stands for | Predominantly white institution |
|---|---|
| Categories | Education & Academia |
PWI stands for Predominantly white institution, an academic abbreviation.
Informal term for a US college or university where white students have historically made up the majority of enrollment, used mainly in contrast with HBCUs and other minority-serving institutions. It appears frequently in research on student experience and campus climate.
Example: Coming from an HBCU, he found the culture at the PWI very different.
Usage notes
The term describes enrollment history rather than an official designation and has no legal definition. It became common in higher education scholarship in the late 20th century. Students and scholars also use it when discussing college choice for Black students.
Related abbreviations
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