Cultural humility is categorized as a lifelong commitment to self-evaluation and self-critique that begins with examining one’s own beliefs and identities. Academic departments in higher education can provide discipline-specific cultural humility training and resources for faculty and staff to improve outcomes for students, reduce racial achievement gaps, and enhance a healthy diverse workplace. The Promoting Post-Baccalaureate Opportunities for Hispanic Americans grant team in the Department of Nutrition at Metropolitan State University of Denver developed and delivered quarterly discipline-specific cultural humility trainings beginning in spring 2020 for faculty and staff. The aim of this study was to examine impact of the trainings. Data was collected using an electronic survey during spring 2023. Trainings were reported as being extremely or very effective by the majority of faculty and staff (83.3%) and have impacted how faculty or staff teach (66.7%) or advise students (66.7%), content in courses (58.3%), and interactions with students (91.7%) or colleagues (58.3%). Increased awareness of the importance of diversity issues in higher education (75%) and nutrition and dietetics (83.3%) as well as development of inclusive pedagogies (75%) were reported. Qualitative data from the survey indicates that faculty and staff are more aware of the challenges faced by underrepresented students and that they have made significant course updates to be more inclusive. Data examining department and discipline-specific trainings indicates positive impacts for faculty and staff. Globally, departments in higher education settings can implement cultural humility trainings to enhance faculty and staff learning and growth, student outcomes, and workplace diversity.

Authors:
Melissa Masters, Metropolitan State University of Denver, United States
Rachel Sinley, Metropolitan State University of Denver, United States
Jessica Torro, Metropolitan State University of Denver, United States

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Melissa Masters is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at Metropolitan State University of Denver in United States

See this presentation on the full schedule – Thursday Schedule

Bookmark