Identifying Inclusive Practices on U.S. University Campuses That Create Engagement for Diverse Populations

Author

Brandon TatumFollow

Campus Location

Dallas Campus (Online)

Date of Award

Fall 12-2018

ORCID

https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2181-8891

Document Type

Dissertation

Department

Organizational Leadership

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Committee Chair or Primary Advisor

Carley Dodd

Second Committee Member or Secondary Advisor

Darin Martin

Third Committee Member or Committee Reader

Billie McConnell

Abstract

Interactions between diversity and inclusion have been incompletely studied on U.S. college campuses. Previous researchers have also demonstrated an incomplete understanding of these two constructs, resulting in uneven attempts to create inclusion on college campuses. Diversity and inclusion research on college life is needed because inclusion is relatively new and unexplored, student diversity in U.S. higher education is increasing, and practical models and programs for enhancing campus inclusion are lacking. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify best practices and student attitudes regarding inclusion and group memberships with Generation Z and Millennial college students in the United States, the most diverse student generations to-date. Attitudes and behaviors on inclusion were specifically surveyed at 3 U.S.- based Christian universities. To examine diversity and inclusion, a quantitative study design was used to explore how demographic, group membership, and group practices impact student’s feelings of inclusion. A planned outcome of this research was identifying findings with practical applications for higher education professionals that want to create a culture of inclusion on campus, using survey results. The results revealed that group membership significantly affects students’ feelings of inclusion. Practices of intentional fellowship, mentorship, and diversity were also found to affect feelings of inclusion.

Keywords: diversity, inclusion, Generation Z, Millennial, social identity theory, fellowship, mentorship, intentional diversity practices

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Tatum, Brandon, "Identifying Inclusive Practices on U.S. University Campuses That Create Engagement for Diverse Populations" (2018). Digital Commons @ ACU, Electronic Theses and Dissertations. Paper 116.
https://digitalcommons.acu.edu/etd/116