The Role of Human Resources in Advancing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts in Community Colleges

• In Event: Multicultural Education in the Time of Global Pandemics

Abstract

Community colleges (CCs) face an uncertain future. How they respond to the effects of the pandemic and systemic racism is critical for these institutions’ success. Using transformative leadership as theoretical lens, this study examines an underexplored issue: how issues of diversity, inclusion, and equity (DEI) might be advanced by a transformative human resources (HR) leadership approach. The role of HR in such efforts, largely unexamined in the literature, could be critical. By utilizing a mixed-methods design, the researchers sought to identify barriers to and ways HR can advance transformative change to address systemic inequities. Largely ignored in the literature yet revealed by the preliminary findings are specific ways HR departments and leaders can overcome such barriers and advance DEI efforts.

Authors

• Carlos Nevarez, California State University - Sacramento

• Pete Benitti, California State University - Sacramento

• Sarah Billingsley, California State University - Sacramento

• Cassie Donnelly