Consciousness Is Power: Higher Education's Influence on Civic Outcomes During the Obama and Trump Presidencies

• In Event: Sheraton Roundtable Session Ten
  In Roundtable Session: The Importance of Social Networks and Conversations in Diverse Political Contexts (Table 8)

Abstract

As a microcosm of society, higher education’s function of cultivating civically motivated citizens is susceptible to the influences of political climates and issues. This quantitative study examines college students’ development of civic values and engagement in civic-minded practices across two longitudinal cohorts of students who completed undergraduate degrees during President Obama’s second term in office (2012-2016) and students who completed their degrees during President Trump’s administration (2016-2020). Findings suggest higher education had a greater capacity to influence students’ sense of social agency under the Obama presidency. Moreover, findings highlight similarities and differences in the background characteristics and college experiences influencing civic outcomes between the two cohorts while underscoring the significance of racial identity in students’ civic values and engagement.

Author

• Ngoc Tran, University of California - Los Angeles
  Presenting Author