Speaker(s):
Presentation:
The presentation will focus on minority student growth and development in a rural 4-year college. The purpose of the study was to examine the perceptions of minority faculty and students regarding student learning associated with minority students’ relationships to minority faculty. Critical race theory was used as part of the conceptual framework which provides a narrative on the perspectives of race and dispels myths, racial beliefs, and misrepresentations of the truth. Social learning theory was also used as part of the conceptual framework because it explains how social influences impact the beliefs and actions of individuals in society. A basic qualitative study was the research design and semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from 5 minority faculty and 8 minority students. The data noted that 92% of the minority participants thought there were advantages to having minority faculty compared to 8% who did not. A recommendation paper was the result of the research study. Based on the findings, positive social changes may occur that affect minority students and faculty by improving minority student learning, increasing minority student enrollment, and possibly an increasing minority faculty at higher education institutions.
Objectives:
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Define minority student learning in higher education
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Describe the impact higher education has on minority students
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Identify the importance of a diverse learning environment