The Effects of Diversity Training on Faculty and Students’ Classroom Experiences

Abstract

In response to the changing face of postsecondary education, efforts have been made to provide faculty and staff with training in multicultural and diverse perspectives. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of faculty participation in a Summer Diversity Training Institute. Focus group interviews were conducted with both faculty participants and the students of faculty attendees to determine the impact of the Institute on classroom dynamics, instruction, and assessment. Findings revealed that faculty participation in the Institute was beneficial in the sense that instructors’ personal growth was most frequently evidenced through attitudinal and curricular changes. Students experienced a greater sense of community, personal growth, and conflict resolution skills by being in the classes taught by faculty trained in multicultural course development. As the demographics of higher education change to include more diverse populations, research must determine the effects of multicultural programming and training on both faculty and student participants.