UNIVERSITY DIVERSITY TRAINING NEEDS ASSESSMENT

Communication scholars have acknowledged that racial diversity does not receive adequate examination from organizational communication scholars. This study examined race related diversity training at a predominantly white Northwest Ohio university from the perspectives of undergraduate African, Latina/o, Asian, Pacific Islander, and Native American (ALANA) students. Research demonstrates that on predominantly white campuses, ALANA students may face unique challenges that may differ from the experiences of their white peers. However, race- related diversity training programs are frequently developed without assessing the needs of ALANA people. This research used open-ended surveys with 127 ALANA students, audiotape recorded interviews with seven ALANA students, and a diversity training manual. Grounded theory was used to develop themes. The manual themes were compared to ALANA generated themes to assess whether students needs were being met by the current diversity training program. This book concludes with a discussion of the findings, implications, and future recommendations.

Autorentext

Dr. Emily A. Monago has worked in higher education since 1987 and has focused her career on working with diverse student populations and diversity programs since 1999. She has a Bachelors, MPA, and Doctor of Philosophy in Communications. Dr. Monago is currently the Director of Multicultural Affairs at Bowling Green State University.