Preparing Professionals to Serve Diverse Communities: Challenges and Opportunities in Teaching, Health Care, and Law

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

Various formulations of what constitutes a profession have been delineated in the education and social science literatures for decades. One common aspect across these definitions is a focus on public service. To honor this service-orientation, professionals must be prepared to provide high-quality services to the entirety of the increasingly diverse populations they serve. Moreover, acute awareness of enduring social inequalities in various sectors of social life necessitate educational efforts geared toward ensuring that learners are equipped to care for all of their constituents equally. Traditionally, curriculum development activities and workforce diversification initiatives have been implemented to try to address these issues. What other innovative approaches might be considered and how do different professions tackle these complex issues? Highlighting teaching, healthcare, and law, this session focuses on the ways in which professions education prepares learners to provide empathetic and competent care for the range of communities in which they will work. Theoretical and practical implications for improved strategies and broad social change will be discussed.

Sub Unit

• AERA Presidential Session

Chair

• Monica M. Cuddy, National Board of Medical Examiners

Papers

• Approaches, Successes, and Lessons Learned From an Equity Pedagogy Perspective at the University of California, San Francisco, School of Medicine - Alicia Fernandez, University of California - San Francisco

• Approaches, Successes and Lessons Learned From the University of California, San Francisco, PLUS: Pediatric Leaders Advancing Health Equity Residency Program - Jyothi Marbin, University of California – San Francisco

• Approaches, Successes, and Lessons Learned From AccessLex Research on Diversity and Equity in Legal Education - Aaron N. Taylor, Center for Legal Education Excellence

• Approaches, Successes, and Lessons Learned From a Clinical Law Education Perspective and the University of California Hastings Community Justice Clinics - Ascanio Piomelli, University of California

• Approaches, Successes, and Lessons Learned From a Glocal Teaching Internship in Chile Program - Kenneth James Varner, University of Nevada - Las Vegas

• Approaches, Successes, and Lessons Learned From a "Grow Your Own" Program That Trains Community Responsive Teachers - Margarita Bianco, University of Colorado - Denver

Discussant

• Christine E. Sleeter, California State University - Monterey Bay