The Woke Sleeping Giant: Minority-Serving Institutions Fostering Our Nation's Democracy

• In Event: Learning and Development Through Engagement

Abstract

One of the key functions of higher education is cultivating our engaged citizenry (Hurtado, 2007). However limited research has explored the civic development of racial/ethnic minority students. The purpose of this study is to explore the institutional- and student-level characteristics that promote the development of college students’ civic values. Overall, this study found differences in the factors that promote civic values based on race/ethnicity and institutional contexts. For example, Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs) were particularly influential in promoting civic values of students. The findings will help higher education researchers and practitioners understand the factors that promote the development of civic values, as well as shed light on higher education institutions that develop the next generation of leaders and engaged citizens.

Author

• Cynthia Maribel Alcantar, University of California - Los Angeles