Department of Educational Administration

 

Date of this Version

5-2016

Document Type

Article

Citation

Weed, J.E. (2016). The culture of a (multi)culture center: A quantitative analysis of the use of a multicultural center at a PWI (Master's thesis, University of Nebraska-Lincoln).

Comments

A THESIS Presented to the Faculty of The Graduate College at the University of Nebraska In Partial Fulfillment of Requirements For the Degree of Master of Arts, Major: Educational Administration, Under the Supervision of Professor Elizabeth Niehaus. Lincoln, Nebraska: May, 2016

Copyright © 2016 Jessica E. Weed

Abstract

Diversity in higher education is becoming an increasingly popular topic of discussion amongst administrators, particularly in regards of how to best support students of color as well as how to encourage students of differing social identities to interact with one another. However, little is known about multicultural centers, where students of color go to build community and where engagement in diversity initiatives is prominent. Using the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center (JGMC) at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as the focus, this study analyzes the population of the center for commonalities and differences between student and faculty/staff populations as well as White students and students of color. A quantitative study was conducted with findings indicating that White students used JGMC as a formal space to attend meetings and programs while students of color used JGMC as a social space to build community. Recommendations for higher education administrators and areas for future research are also provided.

Advisor: Elizabeth Niehaus

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