Educating a Diverse Nation
Lessons from Minority-Serving Institutions
Clifton Conrad, Marybeth Gasman, 2015
Teaming up with my colleague Clifton Conrad, I provide a firsthand glimpse into life at Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), capturing the authentic experiences of students navigating unique challenges. From the stress of juggling tuition and family support to concerns about college readiness and doubts about its relevance to their futures, these students speak for themselves. Our exploration spans the diverse landscape of MSIs, including historically black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, Hispanic-serving institutions, and Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander–serving institutions. In Educating a Diverse Nation, we don't just observe; we spotlight strategies for empowering nontraditional students to triumph over these obstacles. The narrative unfolds with initiatives such as collaborative learning, culturally relevant educational programs, the dynamic blurring of roles among faculty, staff, and students, peer-led team learning, and hands-on problem solving. Through these illuminating innovations, we showcase how students become actively engaged, cultivating the knowledge, skills, and habits necessary for self-sustaining success in college and beyond. The goal is not just academic achievement but the transformation of students into valuable contributors to society.