Racism persists as a significant concern in academia, necessitating proactive measures within higher education institutions. In the United States, community colleges play a pivotal role in addressing this issue through initiatives, task forces, and anti-racist learning communities. However, there is a noticeable void in research regarding the impact that anti-racist learning communities have on the individuals engaged in them on community college campuses. This conference presentation explores the influence of community college anti-racist learning communities on faculty and classified staff's pedagogical practices and interpersonal interactions. Through participant interviews, insights were gathered on their learning experiences within these learning communities, the influence on their professional practices, and the role of organizational support in their anti-racist development. Key findings from the research conducted includes the importance of sharing diverse lived experiences, the necessity of an anti-racist approach in curriculum reviews, and the role that active engagement in anti-racist learning communities has on developing anti-racist practices. Moreover, the study underscores the significance of intentional organizational structures, peer-led anti-racist learning communities, and proactive leadership practices in supporting employee anti-racist development. The research also introduces a novel addition to an existing organizational learning model. By dismantling structures of privilege and discrimination, academia can evolve into a stronghold of justice, equality, and intellectual advancement, contributing to a more inclusive and socially conscious society.

Authors:
Jamie Smith, West Valley College, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr. Jamie Smith is a California-based Associate Professor in the Child Studies department at West Valley College, and a Lecturer at San Jose State University where she teaches courses in Developmental Science Research Methods.

Connect on Linkedin
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamie-rebecca-smith/

Connect on ResearchGate
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jamie-Smith-78

See this presentation on the full schedule – Sunday Schedule

Bookmark