Dismantling Racism in Institutions of Higher Education: The Role of Multicultural Centers and Inter-Group Dialogue Programs
Loading...
Authors
Portillo Taylor, Alejandra L.
Issue Date
2013
Type
Thesis
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
Research has shown that the experiences of students of color on college campuses differ
significantly from the experiences had by their white peers. In an effort to remedy this
fact, colleges across the United States have employed the use of various programs and
techniques. This project examines two specific programs: multicultural centers and intergroup
dialogues. Research was conducted through a semi-structured interview process.
Analysis of the data yielded four broad findings. First, multicultural centers and intergroup
dialogue programs aid in the creation and promotion of quality student interaction
on college campuses. Second, these programs can be exceptionally effective when
' working in conjunction with each other and with academic curricula, such as ethnic
studies. Third, students are the direct beneficiaries of these programs in two main ways.
First, students benefit individually by being able to place themselves as a racialized being
within an appropriate societal context. Second, they benefit students at a collective level
by bringing students of varying identities together to breakdown problematic ideologies
and, in turn, work to promote a more socially just society. The fourth finding was that
even though both of these programs are designed for college campuses their influences
extend far beyond institutions of higher education.
Description
v, 53 p.
Citation
Publisher
Kalamazoo, Mich. : Kalamazoo College.
License
U.S. copyright laws protect this material. Commercial use or distribution of this material is not permitted without prior written permission of the copyright holder. All rights reserved.