A University Collaboration to Prepare College Students For Participation in a Diverse Democracy in the U.S. Sylvia Hurtado, Mark Engberg, and Luis Ponjuan University of Michigan European Association for Institutional Research Limerick, Ireland August 24-27, 2003

Presentation Outline Project overview Project findings: Qualitative Study Longitudinal Study Classroom-based-Study Institutional Study Summary Discussion

Project Goals To learn how colleges are creating diverse learning environments To explore how institutions are preparing students for participation in a diverse democracy To discover how students are learning from diverse peers To understand and share how different campuses achieve goals for cognitive, social, and democratic outcomes

Theory Linking Diversity and Learning in College Encountering the new and unfamiliar causes us to abandon routines and think actively Disequilibrium when one encounters perspectives that depart from one’s own embedded worldview Learning and social development occurs when interacting with others who hold different perspectives

Project Outcomes Cognitive Development Complex thinking skills Reflective Judgment Critical thinking dispositions Social Cognitive Development Perspective-taking skills Political awareness Democratic Skill Development View that democracy thrives on difference Constructive conflict and negotiation Willingness to take action for social justice

Participating Institutions Arizona State University Norfolk State University University of California University of Maryland University of Massachusetts University of Michigan University of Minnesota University of New Mexico University of Washington University of Vermont

Research Activities Student focus groups Longitudinal student survey Focused classroom-based studies National survey of institutions

Student Focus Groups Student focus groups on each campus Racial/ethnic majority student group(s) Largest minority group(s) Students engaged in diversity and civic initiatives Specific ethnic groups unique to each campus & geographic region Student experiences with diverse peers In what contexts do diverse interactions occur? What/how have they learned from diverse peers?

Socio-historical/cultural knowledge Perspective-taking/open-mindedness Self-awareness/self-reflection Collaboration and communication skills Learning Through Diverse Interactions

Contexts of Interactions with Diverse Peers Curricular Contexts Classes focusing on diversity Small classes Intergroup dialogue class Co-curricular Contexts Cultural centers Living/learning communities Informal social contexts Community service activities

Longitudinal Survey of College Students Survey students entering college in Fall 2000 Follow-up at end of second year of college Survey designed to tap into: Student beliefs and attitudes Student thinking and interaction Student engagement

Influence of Pre-college and College Variables on Democratic Outcomes Democratic Outcomes Ability to See Multiple Perspectives Conflict Enhances Democracy Importance of Social Action Engagement Background Characteristics Pre-college/College Environment Pre-college/ College Engagement Pre- College /College Interaction

Longitudinal Trends Across Models Entering females are more likely to report values and beliefs consistent with outcomes Pre-college engagement produced the largest change in variance Interaction with diverse peers was significant Frequency and quality of interactions with diverse peers were positive across models Co-curricular involvement in diversity related events Involvement in curricular activities (diversity readings and intergroup dialogue) Participation in post 9/11 activities Pre-collegeCollege Impact

Focused Classroom-based Study Study of Three One-Semester Courses 2 Diversity Courses Education and Women’s Studies 1 Management Course Instruments Student Thinking and Interacting Survey (STIS) California Critical Thinking and Dispositions Index (CCTDI) Reasoning About Critical Issues (RCI) Defining Issues Test (DIT)

Predictors of Social Action Engagement Beginning of Term Sex Race Acad. Self-Conf Invl w/ Frat/Sor (–) Invl w/ Political Activities Pos. Qual. Interaction Neg. Qual. Interaction (–) End of Term Pre-test Diversity Course Pos. Qual. of Interaction

Institutional Survey: Defining the Engaged Campus U.S. survey of chief academic officers What is an “engaged” campus? Institutions have a unique relationship with the public: Autonomous from the public yet responsible for developing future civic leaders and citizens A current movement in which universities are reexamining their civic mission and developing partnerships with their surrounding communities

Goals of the Institutional Study: To define the dimensions of civically engaged campuses To identify the organizational characteristics that predict university-community partnerships and institutional spending on public service To add to discussions of how organizational factors and social contexts work in tandem to shape the civic work of institutions

Level of Community Partnerships Institutional Category Public Institutions***(-) Doctoral Institutions*** Masters Institutions** Institutional Characteristics Enrollment reflects area demographics*** Institutional Commitment Core Leadership Support for Civic Engagement *** Institutional Prestige Priority** Institutional Civic Engagement Priority*** Contextual Demographics Percentage Racial/Ethnic Diversity** (-) Percentage Family Poverty Level***

Level of Funding for Public Services Activities Institutional Category Public Institutions*** (-) Civic Engagement Policies and Structures ** Institutional Characteristics HBCU Classification ***

Summary The various studies here confirm that students acquire a range of cognitive and democratic skills in interaction with diverse peers Campuses that want to further both their educational and civic mission can do so by helping students negotiate differences in background and perspective This requires leadership, a vision of goals for undergraduate education, and structures and policies that promote diversity and community partnerships

For More Information Diverse Democracy Project University of Michigan 610 E. University, 514 SEB Ann Arbor, MI Phone: Website: