A Comprehensive Conceptual Model of Institutional Change in Diversity and Equity

• In Event: 25.085 - Sheraton Roundtable One - Osgoode Ballroom
  In Roundtable Session: 25.085-7 - Advancing Diversity and Equity in the Context of Higher Education Organizations

Abstract

Postsecondary leaders are tasked with transforming their institutions to advance diversity and equity. Because understanding how institutions change is needed, this study applies Yin’s (2009) approach to explanation building in case study research to present a conceptual model of institutional change for diversity and equity. Based on an embedded multiple case study of four private institutions, three preliminary findings emerged. Findings suggest that institutional leaders: initiate change processes due to internal and external factors such as student activism that is congruent with the literature, employ particular tools simultaneously based on institutional context and need (e.g., resources, rewards, strategies) to catalyze efforts that diverges from the literature, and need to attend to accountability and assessment to effectively repeat change processes.

Authors

• Lucy Anne LePeau, Indiana University - Bloomington

• Varaxy Yi, California State University - Fresno

• Ting-Han Chang, Indiana University - Bloomington