Teachers as Change Agents or Purveyors of Status Quo? Infusing Diversity Into Higher Education Courses

• In Event: 35.082 - Roundtable Session 14
  In Roundtable Session: 35.082-20 - Teaching Critically

Abstract

Higher education faculty as agents of change in the classroom are central players in understanding racial achievement gaps. From 2007 - 2010, an institute to infuse diversity into courses was implemented at a 4-year university in the Midwest. Over 30 instructors participated, representing 15 disciplines. This qualitative study sought to find out: How do instructors working to infuse diversity in courses define and assess their successes and struggles? What are they learning about themselves as teachers? The study uncovered external manifestations of a curriculum diversity infusion effort, and insight into internal processes of the teachers. Results indicate profound learning for faculty in understanding the relevance of their relationships with students; their own identities; and the high-stakes nature of diversity work.

Author

• Eugene Fujimoto, California State University - Fullerton