Insights into the Sense of Belonging from Women of Color: Interconnections of Cultural Competence, Expectations, Institutional Diversity, and Counterspaces
Main Article Content
Abstract
Belonging has been described as a basic human need (Strayhorn, 2012) associated with academic success. Yet, research suggests that students from minoritized social identity groups report a lower sense of belonging than their privileged peers. Data collected via a grounded theory study offer qualitative insight into the development of belonging for Women of Color during their first semester at a predominately white university. In this paper, we use the term Women of Color, as described by Mohanty (1991) to refer to the “sociopolitical designation for [women] of African, Caribbean, Asian and Latin American descent, and Native peoples of the U.S. [and]… new immigrants to the U.S.” (p. 7). Rich student narratives reveal previously undocumented interconnections among the development of a sense of belonging, cultural competency, unmet expectations, lack of compositional and structural diversity, and campus counterspaces.
Article Details
JCSCORE (ISSN 2642-2387) provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. All content in JCSCORE is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles, or use them for any other lawful purpose, without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access.
Unless otherwise noted, works published in JCSCORE are distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial Share-Alike License (CC BY-NC-SA). By granting a CC BY-NC-SA license in their work, authors retain copyright ownership of the work, but they give explicit permission for others to download, reuse, reprint, modify, distribute, and/or copy the work, as long as the original source and author(s) are properly cited (i.e. a complete bibliographic citation and link to the JCSCORE website), re-use of the work is not for commercial purposes, and the re-used work is shared with the same license. No permission is required from the author(s) or the publishers for such use. According to the terms of the CC BY-NC-SA license, any reuse or redistribution must indicate the original CC-BY-NC-SA license terms of the work.
Exceptions to the application of the CC BY-NC-SA license may be granted at the author(s)’ discretion if reasonable extenuating circumstances exist. Such exceptions must be granted in writing. For coordinating use permission you may either contact the author directly or email jcscore@ou.edu.
References
Blaney, J. M., & Stout, J. G. (2017). Examining the relationship between introductory computing course experiences, self-efficacy, and belonging among first-generation college women. In Proceedings of the 2017 ACM SIGCSE Technical Symposium, 69-74. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3017680.3017751 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1145/3017680.3017751
Camphina-Bacote, J. (2002). The process of cultural competence in the delivery of healthcare services: A model of care. Journal of Transcultural Nursing, 13(3), 181–184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10459602013003003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/10459602013003003
Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage.
Eaton, J. S. (2015). An overview of U.S. accreditation. Washington, D.C.: Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Retrieved from: https://www.chea.org/sites/default/files/other-content/Overview%20of%20US%20Accreditation%202015.pdf
Freeman, T. M., Anderman, L. H., & Jensen, J. M. (2007). Sense of belonging in college freshmen at the classroom and campus levels. The Journal of Experimental Education, 75(3), 203-220. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.3.203-220 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.75.3.203-220
Gurin, P., Dey, E. L., Hurtado, S., & Gurin, G. (2002). Diversity and higher education: Theory and impact on educational outcomes. Harvard Educational Review, 72(3), 330-366. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.72.3.01151786u134n051
Harper, S. R. (2013). Am I my brother’s teacher? Black undergraduates, racial socialization, and peer pedagogies in predominantly white postsecondary contexts. Review of Research in Education, 37(1), 183-211. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X12471300 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3102/0091732X12471300
Harper, S. R., & Hurtado, S. (2007). Nine themes in campus racial climates and implications for institutional transformation. In S. Harper & L. D. Patton (Eds.). Responding to the realities of race on campus. New Directions for Student Services (120), pp. 7-24. San Francisco, CA: Wiley. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.254 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ss.254
Hausmann, L. R. M, Schofield, J. W., & Woods, R. L. (2007). Sense of belonging as a predictor of intentions to persist among African American and white first-year college students. Research in Higher Education, 48(7), 803-839. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-007-9052-9 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-007-9052-9
Hoffman, M., Richmond, J., Morrow, J., & Salomone, K. (2002/2003). Investigating “sense of belonging” in first-year college students. Journal of College Student Retention, 4(3), 227-256. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/DRYC-CXQ9-JQ8V-HT4V DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/DRYC-CXQ9-JQ8V-HT4V
Hurtado, S., & Carter, D.F. (1997). Effects of college transition and perceptions of the campus racial climate on Latino students’ sense of belonging. Sociology of Education, 70(4), 324-345. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2673270 DOI: https://doi.org/10.2307/2673270
Hurtado, S., Clayton-Pedersen, A. R., Allen, W. R., & Milem, J. F. (1998). Enhancing campus climates for racial/ethnic diversity: Educational policy and practice. The Review of Higher Education, 21(3), 279-302. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.1998.0003 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.1998.0003
Johnson, D. R., Soldner, M., Leonard, J. B., Alvarez, P., Inkelas, K. K., Rowan-Kenyon, H., & Longerberm, S. D. (2007). Examining sense of belonging among first-year undergraduates from different racial/ethnic groups. Journal of College Student Development, 48(5), 525-542. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2007.0054 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2007.0054
Jones, S. R., Torres, V., & Arminio, J. (2014). Negotiating the complexities of qualitative research in higher education: Fundamental elements and issues (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203123836 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203123836
Joseph, T. D., & Hirshfield, L. E. (2011). ‘Why don't you get somebody new to do it?’ Race and cultural taxation in the academy. Ethnic and Racial Studies, 34(1), 121-141. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2010.496489 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01419870.2010.496489
Linder, C., Quaye, S. J., Lange, A. C., Roberts, R. E., Lacy, M. C., & Okello, W. K. (2019). "A student should have the privilege of just being a student": Student activism as labor. The Review of Higher Education, 42(5), 37-62. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2019.0044 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2019.0044
Locks, A. M., Hurtado, S., Bowman, N. A., & Oseguera, L. (2008). Extending notions of campus climate and diversity to students’ transition to college. Review of Higher Education, 31(3), 257-285. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2008.0011 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/rhe.2008.0011
Maramba, D. C., & Museus, S. D. (2012/13). Examining the effects of campus climate, ethnic group cohesion, and cross-cultural interaction on Filipino American students’ sense of belonging in college. Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory and Practice, 14(4), 495-522. DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/CS.14.4.d DOI: https://doi.org/10.2190/CS.14.4.d
Means, D. R. & Pyne, K. B. (2017). Finding my way: Perceptions of institutional support and belonging in low-income, first-generation, first-year college students. Journal of College Student Development, 58(6), 907-924. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2017.0071 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2017.0071
Milem, J. F., Chang, M. J., & antonio, A. L. (2005). Making diversity work on campus: A research-based perspective. Washington, DC: Association American Colleges and Universities. Retrieved from: https://www.aacu.org/sites/default/files/files/mei/MakingDiversityWork.pdf
Mohanty, C. T. (1991). Under western eyes: Feminist scholarship and colonial discourses. In C.T. Mohanty, A. Russo, & L. Torres (Eds.), Third world women and the politics of feminism (pp. 51-80). Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press.
Nuñez, A-M. (2009). A critical paradox? Predictors of Latino students’ sense of belonging in college. Journal of Diversity in Higher Education, 2(1), 46-61. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014099 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0014099
Pérez Huber, L. & Cueva, B. M. (2012). Chicana/Latina testimonios on effects and responses to microaggressions. Equity and Excellence in Education, 45(3), 392-410. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10665684.2012.698193 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/10665684.2012.698193
Pittman, L.D. & Richmond, A. (2008). University belonging, friendship quality, and psychological adjustment during the transition to college. Journal of Experimental Education, 76, 343-361. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.76.4.343-362 DOI: https://doi.org/10.3200/JEXE.76.4.343-362
Pope, R. L., & Reynolds, A. L. (1997). Student affairs core competencies: Integrating multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills. Journal of College Student Development, 38(3), 266-277.
Pope, R. L., Reynolds, A. L., & Mueller, J. A. (2004). Multicultural competence in student affairs. Jossey-Bass.
Pope, R. L., Reynolds, A. L., & Mueller, J. A. (2019). Multicultural competence in student affairs. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Stebleton, M. J., Soria, K. M., & Huesman, R. L. (2014). First‐generation students' sense of belonging, mental health, and use of counseling services at public research universities. Journal of College Counseling, 17(1), 6-20. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/j.2161-1882.2014.00044.x
Stephens, N. M., Fryberg, S. A., Markus, H. R., & Johnson, C. S. (2012). Unseen disadvantage: How American universities’ focus on independence undermines the academic performance of first generation college students. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 12(6), 1178-1197. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027143 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/a0027143
Stewart, D. L., & Bridges, B. (2011). A demographic profile of multicultural student services. In D. L. Stewart (Ed.). Multicultural student services on campus: Building bridges, re-visioning community, (pp. 38-62). Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Stewart, D. L., & Bridges, B. (2011). A demographic profile of multicultural student services. In D. L. Stewart (Ed.). Multicultural student services on campus: Building bridges, re-visioning community, (pp. 38-62). Sterling, VA: Stylus.
Strayhorn, T. L. (2008). Sentido de pertenencia: A hierarchical analysis predicting sense of belonging among Latino college students. Journal of Hispanic Higher Education, 7(4), 301-320. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192708320474 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1538192708320474
Strayhorn, T. L. (2012). College students’ sense of belonging: A key to educational success for all students. New York, NY: Routledge. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203118924 DOI: https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203118924
Sue, D. W. (2001). Multidimensional facets of cultural competence. The Counseling Psychologist, 29(6), 790-821. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000001296002 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0011000001296002
Tervalon, M., & Murray-García, J. (1998). Cultural humility versus cultural competence: A critical distinction in defining physician training outcomes in multicultural education. Journal of Health Care for the Poor and Undeserved, 9(2), 117-125. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2010.0233 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/hpu.2010.0233
Vaccaro, A., & Camba-Kelsay, M. J. (2016). Centering women of color in academic counterspaces: A critical race analysis of teaching, learning, and classroom dynamics. Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.
Vaccaro, A. & Newman, B. M. (2016). The development of a sense of belonging for privileged and minoritized students: An emerging model. Journal of College Student Development, 57(8), 925-942. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2016.0091 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1353/csd.2016.0091
Vaccaro, A., & Newman, B. M. (2017). Belonging through the eyes of first-year LGBP students: A multi-layered analysis. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 54(2), 137-149. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2016.1211533 DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/19496591.2016.1211533
Williams, D. A. (2013). Strategic diversity leadership: Activating change and transformation in higher education. Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Williams, D. A., Berger, J. B., & McClendon, S. A. (2005). Toward a model of inclusive excellence and change in postsecondary institutions. Washington, DC: Association of American Colleges and Universities.
Yosso, T., Smith, W., Ceja, M., & Solórzano, D. (2009). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus climate for Latina/o undergraduates. Harvard Educational Review, 79(4) 659. DOI: https://doi.org/10.17763/haer.79.4.m6867014157m707l