Prioritizing Faculty Diversity at a Religiously Affiliated University: Inquiry Activities and Identity-Based Boundaries in Faculty Hiring

• In Event: 32.035 - Exploring Connections Between Climate, Context, Pedagogy, Diversity, and Outcomes

Abstract

We are investigating whether practitioners working at Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) are addressing the needs of Latina/o students. In this study, we use data collected from HSI faculty members involved in initiatives to diversify their faculty through inquiry methods. We apply boundary theory to further our understandings of how inquiry methods could guide faculty members to identify boundaries in faculty hiring and recruiting practices and policies that exclude candidates of color from being employed. Our findings illuminate the significant role of inquiry methods for faculty members to enact their agency to change organizational norms about faculty hiring and recruiting practices at HSIs.

Authors

• Román Liera, University of Southern California

• Cynthia Diana Villarreal, University of Southern California