The number of Hispanic faculty at GW increased by 33 percent over the past two years while numbers of female and black faculty remained stagnant, according to a report released at a Faculty Senate meeting this month.

“I don’t think the numbers reflect a lack of effort to recruit women and minority faculty, rather that it’s a competitive market with many schools looking to diversify their faculty as well,” said School of Business Dean Susan Phillips.

The number of female faculty at GW increased by almost 50 percent over the past 10 years and the number of minority faculty has increased by 83 percent over the same period, according to the report.

“It’s clear that there is an evolution that is occurring in regards to faculty gender and race here at the University, especially if you look at the senior and junior professors,” said Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Donald Lehman.

Compared to nine local institutions, GW’s percentage of female faculty was the fifth highest, while its percentage of faculty of color was the third highest.

Lehman noted the faculty’s composition still does not reflect the student body. Nineteen percent of GW’s faculty is made up of minority professors.

Joe Cordes, director of the School of Public Policy and Public Administration sair, “based on the research I have done, having a diverse group of people does give you a superior outcome. Diversity of perspectives is valuable in its own right.”