A Comparative Case Study of Two Ethnic Minority-Serving Higher Education Institutions for Navajo People and Korean Chinese

• In Event: Student learning and employability in international higher education

Proposal

Problem Statement

American Indians and Alaska Natives (AIANs) in the United States and Ethnic Minorities (EMs) in China are both underrepresented groups in their higher education (HE) systems regarding access and attainment. Also, their cultures and languages confront challenges in contemporary societies dominated by the mainstream cultures and languages, as well as the trend of globalization. Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) in the United States and Ethnic Minority-Serving Institutions (EMSIs) in China increasingly play a significant role in changing the disadvantageous situations of AIAN and Chinese Ethnic Minority (CEM) students in both HE systems. Also, they are critical in AIAN tribal nation building and CEM policy implementation, as well as in the preservation of indigenous and ethnic minority languages, cultures, and identities.

The purpose of this comparative case study of two ethnic minority-serving HEIs—Diné College in the United States and Yanbian University in China to examine their roles, challenges, and responses to address challenges in playing their roles of serving Navajo and Korean Chinese students and communities. This study also conducts a comparative analysis between these two HEIs to highlight the successful experiences which can be applied in specific contexts. Finally, based on the findings, this study hopes to help Diné College and Yanbian University, as well as other TCU and EMSI administrators, policymakers, and government planners better serve Navajo people and Korean Chinese, as well as other AIANs and CEMs to increase their HE access and success, as well as better preserve their cultures and languages.

The central research question is “How do Diné College and Yanbian University address challenges in serving Navajo people and Korean Chinese?” This central research question is further examined by the following three additional questions. (1) What roles do Diné College and Yanbian University play in serving the Navajo people and Korean Chinese? (2) What challenges hinder Diné College and Yanbian University from accomplishing their roles? And (3) How do/should Diné College and Yanbian University address these challenges?

Significance of Study

This study of two case institutions—Diné College and Yanbian University—aims to offer a balanced perspective by providing both positive and negative findings from study participants and a content analysis of the respective institutional guiding documents. Findings aim to provide insights and recommendations for Diné College, Yanbian University, and the general TCUs and EMSIs to review and consider for future development. Usually, TCUs and EMSIs self-reflect on their respective HE contexts of the United States and China. Bringing an international comparative perspective, TCUs and EMSIs have one more angle to look at their education, programs, and services provided to their students and communities.

Research Design

Guided by the central and sub-questions, the author conducted semi-structured interviews with administrators from two institutions and content area experts (CAEs) in AIAN and CEM HE to collect data. Meanwhile, through a content analysis approach, the author examined the Diné College mission and vision statements and Yanbian University charter and profile regarding the espoused and actual institutional roles.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted as the primary data collection method in this study. In general, the interview questions explored interview participants’ perspectives on the roles, facilitating factors, challenges, responses to challenges, and suggestions regarding Diné College and Yanbian University, as well as TCUs and EMSIs in general. A total of 18 interviewees participated in this study, among whom 11 are for Diné College and TCU side, and seven are for Yanbian University and EMSI side.

In this study, all qualitative data collected from interviews and context analysis was stored, cleaned, organized, and coded using the NVivo qualitative research software. After finalizing the data coding and forming themes, the author conducted a comparative analysis between Diné College and Yanbian University to explore the commonalities and differences regarding their roles, facilitating factors, challenges, and responses as good strategies and practices.

Conclusions

Findings of this study confirm that Diné College and Yanbian University play significant roles in providing HE opportunities to Navajo and Korean Chinese students, as well as in preserving their cultures and languages. However, because of their respective historical and political contexts, Diné College and Yanbian University have different emphases in reaching their institutional goals and accomplishing their missions. While both institutions enjoy some facilitating factors—including the favorable external environment and their own characteristics and efforts—they also facing many challenges. However, challenges can be viewed as opportunities for Diné College and Yanbian University to grow and further develop. They increase their confidence as they overcome these challenges through their collective and persistent efforts. In their responses to the challenges and efforts of realizing their missions in serving their students and communities, as well as preserving Navajo and Korean cultures, Diné College and Yanbian University present some exemplary strategies and practices. These exemplary cases demonstrate the high potential of the HE and other support services they provide to their students and communities.

From a comparative perspective, the efforts of Diné College and Yanbian University in addressing challenges to realize their dual missions are manifested through different approaches and emphases because of their respective political and HE contexts. Diné College has an institutional-level focus to solve current problems and continues its successful strategies and practices. In comparison, the efforts of Yanbian University are greatly influenced by the Chinese national policies, not only on HE, but also related to other areas like the economy, development, and foreign affairs. Therefore, Yanbian University focuses on the efforts to better take advantage of the resources brought on by national policies. Through presenting the various aspects of Diné College and Yanbian University in their efforts to serve their people and communities, as well as to save the indigenous and ethnic cultures, the author wants to emphasize the important role these institutions play in the promotion of multiculturalism and diversity in the United States and China, as well as the whole world.

Author

• Weiyan Xiong, Lingnan University Division of Graduate Studies