Education Commons^™

Exploring The Experiences Of African American Female Students In Engineering: A Narrative Literature Review, Anissa Guerin, Phd

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Abstract

This narrative literature review delves into the experiences of African American female students in engineering, addressing their persistent underrepresentation in the field despite advancements in postsecondary education. By examining a broad range of research, the study explores the unique challenges faced by these students and investigates tools for their persistence and degree completion. The theoretical framework draws from intersectionality theory, emphasizing the intersecting identities of race and gender in shaping these experiences. Methodologically, a narrative literature review approach was employed, facilitating a comprehensive analysis of existing scholarship. Data collection involved rigorous criteria focusing specifically on empirical research or original …

Embracing Change With Power And Love: Shifting Organizational Paradigms Leveraging Systems Thinking, Brandi R. Muñoz

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

This article delves into the complexities of organizational change, emphasizing the critical roles of power and love in facilitating successful transitions. It distinguishes between the generative and degenerative effects of power and love within organizational contexts and underscores the importance of balancing these elements to foster collaboration, innovation, and sustainable change. Furthermore, the principles of systems thinking are highlighted, advocating for a holistic approach to understanding and analyzing organizational systems. The interconnectedness of system components and the necessity of feedback loops for informed decision-making and strategic planning are examined. Additionally, the article discusses the detrimental impact of overconfidence bias on …

Exploring Work Satisfaction Of Women In Educational Leadership From A Racial Perspective During Times Of Crisis, Kathryn Washington, Sharon Ross, Janice L. Taylor, Kelly Brown

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

In education, critical shifts and pandemic repercussions have heightened pressures. Women leaders, particularly those of color, grapple with gender and racial inequalities that shape their roles (Sanchez-Hucles & Davis, 2010). This study explores women's leadership experiences, focusing on work satisfaction through a racial lens. Utilizing Resilience Theory, it delves into women's perceptions, employing a quantitative approach through an electronic survey at a women educators' conference. Examining racial categories, the research uncovers correlations between work satisfaction, job fit, commitment, and work-family balance. ANOVA results show no significant job satisfaction differences based on race, while Welch t-test identifies varied responses. Findings illuminate …

Middle Management Role In Informally Managing Conflict, Incivility, And Bullying In Higher Education Institutions, Maria E. Caratini Prado

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Middle-level managers in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) encounter various stress-related conflicts, including instances of incivility and bullying, yet literature on their role in improving workplace interpersonal relationships and suitable conflict-management training is limited. This article represents findings from the qualitative study that delves into conflict management through the lens of HEI middle-level managers within the manager-to-subordinate relationship. Through in-depth interviews with 10 managers, four overarching themes emerged: structural challenges, sources of conflict, conflict training, and managing conflict. Surprisingly, findings revealed that managers did not extensively apply knowledge from conflict-management training, instead crafting their own tactics and strategies. These results contribute …

Vocational Formation, Belonging And Christian Higher Education, Christopher W. Cobbler Sr.

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Vocational formation and belonging are complimentary concepts. Vocational formation seeks human flourishing by attending to the healing of our social environments. Vocational formation is responding to God’s invitation to participate in the healing of creation from a particular social context, with others, for the sake of the world. Belonging, then, is the natural consequence of such an endeavor. This paper assumes the notion of institutional belonging in Christian higher education to be a kingdom characteristic that is best realized through the various postures of vocational formation. Radical hospitality, missional eschatology and communion with God are among the distinctive qualities of …

And Still We Rise…An Examination Of The Perceptions Of African American Women’S Lived Experiences Regarding Barriers Faced During Their Journeys To Executive Leadership Positions At Historically Black Colleges And Universities, Tanya White, Dianne Reed, Ls Spencer, Charlotte Fontenot, Mack Hines

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

This qualitative case study described the lived experiences of 11 African American women regarding the barriers that they faced on their journeys to obtaining executive leadership positions at historically black colleges and universities and universities (HBCUs). Five of the African American women served in their positions at predominantly white universities (PWIs) in addition to HBCUs. The purpose of the study was to describe the perceptions of African American women regarding steps they have practiced continuing their path to notable success in higher education leadership. We described the behaviors and practices of these African American women leaders and how they engage …

Disparities In Autism Diagnosis: The Role Of Cultural Perceptions And Systemic Bias, Mary H. Jones

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition characterized by challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. This article discusses the key characteristics, diagnosis, and disparities in ASD diagnosis and treatment, focusing on the Black community. The article also highlights the role of cultural competence in education and family involvement in advocating for appropriate services for children with ASD.

A Divine Assignment: Church Supports For Caretakers And Children Impacted By Disabilities, Pamela Scretchen

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

How can the church provide leadership in the area of inclusion and offer families a place of refuge and support? How does the church care for and teach children with disabilities? As a Board-Certified Behavior Analyst, I have partnered with congregations to start programs for families impacted by disabilities. Here, we show how a family affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder challenged their church to provide a sustainable program. There is hope that the church can lead inclusion efforts and develop special needs support for caretakers. The article reveals one family’s journey in returning to worship with their autistic son and …

The Spiritual Impact Of Disability On Parents And Caregivers, Grant Azbell

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This study was designed to examine the impact of disability on the faith and faith communities of parents and caregivers of persons experiencing disability. This study proceeded by asking nine parents or caregivers of persons experiencing disability a series of seven questions to evaluate the impact of disability on their faith and on their relationship to their faith community. The interviews were conducted on Zoom and the recordings were transcribed and coded to observe discernable patterns and themes amongst the participants. What emerged from the data is important for ministers, church leaders, and anyone wanting to know more about the …

Equity During The Pandemic: Exploring Rural Women Superintendents Perceptions Of Equity Leadership, Kelly Brown, Kathryn Washington

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

While the percentage of women in the superintendency has grown in the last 30 years, most superintendents (87%) are male compared to 13.2 percent female (Glass, 2021). The participants of this study were female superintendents leading rural school districts. Rural schools educate approximately 25% of the students in our country. Superintendents of rural schools face many additional challenges such as limited resources, declining student enrollments, high teacher turnover or chronic instability due to geographic isolation, a lack of professional development opportunities are just a few of the challenges these school districts face (Azano & Stewart, 2015; Baker et al.; 2014; …

The Importance Of Mental Health In A Post Pandemic Society: The Impact On College Minority Students, Jerry Wallace

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

The mental health of collegiate students, specifically minorities increased during the pandemic. The death for all minorities increased as well as financial burdens and mental health trauma. Black students were already faced with being a part of a general demographic with higher death rates, challenges with a variety of diseases, and financial concerns. The pandemic further exposed and increased those challenges which in turn created more mental health concerns. Collegiate institutions were faced with student enrollment concerns and students were determined to seek resources in a variety areas to support the added trauma. This article will explore the impacts of …

Parents Of Students On The Autism Spectrum Call For Social And Academic Inclusive Practices, Stephanie C. Holmes

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Inclusive education practices must incorporate both social and academic inclusion. Before 1975, students with various disabilities did not have the same access to public education as their nondisabled or neuro-typically developing peers. With the passing of the Education for All Handicapped Children Act, it was mandated that all schools that receive federal funds must provide equal access to education as a right to students with any physical, behavioral, or mental handicaps. While the mandates have broadened throughout the years, merely having a diagnosis of Autism does not guarantee resources or supports to the student unless there are also academic concerns. …

Successful Pathways To Undergraduate Completion, Tara M. Jones, Bryan Q. Patterson

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

This article explores the critical factors that led to successful college completion for Black men. By focusing on success factors from Black male college graduates' lived experiences, a roadmap to college success for this group may be shared with others to encourage increased degree attainment for this population. The lens for this study drew from Harper’s (2012) antideficit theory, which highlights students’ successes rather than problematic issues. A non-random approach of purposeful sampling from eight Black men from LinkedIn who had completed an undergraduate degree from a private, predominately White college in the southeast United States defined the sample size. …

Educator Cultural Proficiency Insight Tool: As We Know Better, We Can Do Better!, Queinnise Miller

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

All across the U.S. student populations are evolving to reflect the increase in diversity. These students are culturally, linguistically, and economically diverse in nature (CLED). Apart from the health field, cultural competence has not been widely assessed in the education field. A purposeful sample of 362 K-12 teachers, who served 50% or more of CLED students, were administered the Educator Cultural Proficiency Insight Tool (ECPIT). The purpose of this research was two-fold: (a) develop and validate the ECPIT and (b) examine the demographic differences regarding levels of cultural proficiency of current educators. Findings indicated that the ECPIT was a valid …

Why Teachers Feel Unprepared To Address The Social And Emotional Needs Of Students With Dyslexia, Darlene Breaux

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Students with dyslexia simultaneously struggle with both literacy acquisition and poor self-esteem and undergo social-emotional learning difficulties. The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore elementary general education teachers’ perceptions regarding the dyslexia training they received for addressing the social and emotional learning (SEL) needs of children with dyslexia. The conceptual framework guiding this study was the five core competencies for SEL developed by the Collaborative for Academic, Social, and Emotional Learning. The researcher used a qualitative description research design involving semi structured interviews. The population included 10 elementary general education teachers who taught in first through fourth-grade …

Welcome To Tapestry, Ben Ries

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

This letter provides a welcome to the Tapestry journal.

Connect, Coach, And Cultivate: The Importance Of Mentoring Students Of Color In Graduate Online Programs, Traci Ramsey, Courtney Brazile, Lashae Grottis, Patrice Hall, Tina Patterson

Tapestry: Journal of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging in Education

Online graduate programs have steadily increased since 2016 (Curry, 2022). As more students of color enroll in these programs, research shows that faculty-student mentoring improves student academic performance, psychological health, and social environment (Curry, 2022). Mentoring within an online format presents unique challenges and requires specific adaptive strategies. Understanding best practices in mentoring must be a priority to ensure successful mentoring programs and students’ completion as higher education institutions expand their level of support for online students of color (Brown et al., 1999). Several studies have identified best practices in mentoring. Booker and Brevard (2017) categorized themes of graduate student …

Reframing Poverty For Christian Students, James Hensley

Discernment: Theology and the Practice of Ministry

This paper presents a project in which I led a group of students at a suburban Christian school in experiences that challenged them to be more engaged with those in their community who are experiencing an economic disadvantage. At the outset, the two presenting problems were: (1) a lack of experience with those who are at an economic disadvantage; and (2) a prevalence of troubling attitudes about poverty, namely, ambivalence toward helping people who live in poverty. A lack of concern for the poor is contrary to the teachings of Jesus. In response to this problem, two teachers and I …