2017-2018 Faculty Research Grants

Melissa Ponce-Rodas (Behavioral Sciences), Carole Woolford-Hunt (Grad Psychology), Jimmy Kijai (Graduate Psychology), and Tevni Grajales (Graduate Psychology)

A Mixed Methods Approach to exploring the intersectionality of Ethnic Identity, Acculturation, Religiosity and Spirituality on Perceptions of Campus Climate and Diversity Narratives

February 2017 will be looked back on as a pivotal time in our university’s history.  With the student led production of “It is Time AU” and the university’s official response, the issue of racism and race relations on our campus have garnered international attention.  For this grant, we are proposing a study that incorporates three different projects. Each has its own methodology and goals in order to gain a more complete understanding of the narratives revolving around the history of diversity on campus and specific reactions to #It Is Time AU. While these three projects have individual goals, they serve the overarching purpose of understanding the history of diversity on our campus, documenting the impetus for change in recent events, obtaining data to base our future interventions on, and giving voice to the many people and groups we represent.  In order to create sustainable and impactful change, data such as this is necessary to obtain and incorporate in moving our university forward.