Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Lessons from Diverse Faculty

Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Lessons from Diverse Faculty explores autoethnographic stories of belonging in higher education in the US, featuring diverse faculty from PWIs, MSIs, and institutional types. It offers insights into fostering deep belonging for marginalized individuals and is essential reading for researchers, faculty, administrators, and graduate students in Education, Sociology, Psychology, Student Affairs, African American Studies, and Asian American Studies.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 206 pages
Publication date: 15 July 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Lessons from Diverse Faculty is a groundbreaking book that explores the experiences of belonging in higher education in the United States through autoethnographic stories contributed by African American, Asian American, Latinx American, Indigenous American, and BIPOC individuals who work in diversity-related positions in the academy. The book features chapters written by faculty from different institutional contexts, including Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs), minority-serving institutions (MSIs), and institutional types such as community colleges, teaching-focused, and research-focused institutions. The counter/narratives in the book celebrate diverse experiences and offer unique and useful insights about how to foster what foreword author Michael Eric Dyson refers to as "deep belonging," particularly for those who have been ostracized, marginalized, or expelled while working in higher education. This critical volume is an essential reading for researchers, faculty, administrators, and graduate students in Education, Sociology, Psychology, Student Affairs, African American Studies, and Asian American Studies. Additionally, it offers crucial insights for individuals who are key stakeholders in foregrounding policy that centers belonging for diverse faculty.

The book is organized into three sections: "Belonging in Higher Education," "Autoethnographic Stories of Belonging," and "Lessons from Diverse Faculty." The first section provides an overview of the book's main themes and introduces the concept of belonging in higher education. The second section features autoethnographic stories of belonging from faculty members who have experienced various forms of marginalization and exclusion in their academic careers. These stories offer a personal and intimate perspective on the challenges and opportunities that diverse faculty face in higher education. The third section highlights lessons learned from diverse faculty and provides practical strategies for fostering belonging in higher education.

One of the key themes of the book is the importance of creating inclusive and supportive learning environments for diverse faculty. The authors argue that inclusive learning environments are essential for promoting student success and well-being and for creating a more equitable and just society. They highlight the importance of recognizing and addressing the unique challenges that diverse faculty face, such as racial discrimination, gender inequality, and cultural insensitivity. The book provides numerous examples of how inclusive learning environments can be created, including the use of culturally responsive teaching practices, the creation of mentorship programs, and the promotion of diversity and inclusion in the curriculum.

Another important theme of the book is the role of faculty development in promoting belonging for diverse faculty. The authors argue that faculty development programs can help faculty members develop the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the challenges of higher education and to thrive in their academic careers. They highlight the importance of providing faculty members with opportunities for professional growth, such as attending conferences, participating in research projects, and receiving mentorship. The book provides numerous examples of successful faculty development programs and offers practical strategies for implementing them.

In addition to its theoretical and practical insights, Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Lessons from Diverse Faculty is also a powerful tool for promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education. The book's autoethnographic stories provide a humanizing perspective on the experiences of diverse faculty and can help to break down barriers and promote understanding. The book's lessons learned can be used by administrators, faculty, and students to create more inclusive and supportive learning environments.

One of the strengths of the book is its diverse representation of faculty members. The authors include faculty members from a wide range of institutional contexts, including PWIs, MSIs, and institutional types. This diversity allows the book to provide a comprehensive overview of the challenges and opportunities that diverse faculty face in higher education. The book also includes faculty members from a wide range of inter- and transdisciplinary backgrounds, which allows for a rich and diverse discussion of the issues.

However, the book also has some limitations. One of the limitations is that the book's focus on autoethnographic stories may limit its appeal to a broader audience. While autoethnographic stories can be powerful tools for understanding the experiences of diverse faculty, they may not be accessible to everyone. Additionally, the book's focus on higher education in the United States may limit its relevance to other countries.

Despite these limitations, Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Lessons from Diverse Faculty is a valuable and important book that should be read by anyone who is interested in promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education. The book's autoethnographic stories provide a humanizing perspective on the experiences of diverse faculty and can help to break down barriers and promote understanding. The book's lessons learned can be used by administrators, faculty, and students to create more inclusive and supportive learning environments.

In conclusion, Belonging in Higher Education: Perspectives and Lessons from Diverse Faculty is a groundbreaking book that explores the experiences of belonging in higher education in the United States through autoethnographic stories contributed by African American, Asian American, Latinx American, Indigenous American, and BIPOC individuals who work in diversity-related positions in the academy. The book features chapters written by faculty from different institutional contexts and offers practical strategies for fostering belonging in higher education. While the book has some limitations, it is a valuable and important book that should be read by anyone who is interested in promoting diversity and inclusion in higher education.

Weight: 364g
Dimension: 227 x 151 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032442976