UW-Madison forum examines racial dynamics in higher education

Throughout the past decade, states and their colleges and universities have enacted numerous policies to help undergraduate minority students succeed. The forms and outcomes of these efforts, however, have differed dramatically.

The effects of these initiatives will be the subject of “How States and Institutions Shape Racial Dynamics in Higher Education,” a campus forum to be held on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

The forum will be held from noon-3:15 p.m. at the University of Wisconsin–Madison’s Pyle Center, 702 Langdon St., and is free and open to the public.

Participants will have the opportunity to discuss the issue with scholars in the field whose research brings an interesting perspective to the ongoing dialogue about campus diversity initiatives.

“Diversity policies have many consequences — both intended and unintended — and I look forward to hearing our panelists’ insights into what practices are working and what additional actions we should consider taking,” says Sara Goldrick-Rab, professor of educational policy studies and faculty affiliate at the Wisconsin Center for the Advancement of Postsecondary Education (WISCAPE), the sponsor of the forum.

Presentations include:

— “The Implications of Strategic Recruitment of Minority Students,” William Trent, professor of educational policy studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Respondents include Jerlando Jackson, assistant professor, Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis, UW–Madison; and Manuela Romero, director of the Wisconsin Alliance for Minority Participation, UW–Madison. The session runs from noon-1:30 p.m.

— “Examining Diversity Policy Efforts throughout the Nation.” Panelists include Regina Deil-Amen, assistant professor of educational theory and policy, Pennsylvania State University; Eric Grodsky, assistant professor of sociology, University of California, Davis; and Josipa Roksa assistant professor of sociology, University of Virginia. Goldrick-Rab will moderate the discussion. This session runs from 1:45-3:15 p.m.

WISCAPE is a UW–Madison center that seeks to engage key stakeholders, including researchers, policymakers and practitioners, in an ongoing dialogue about postsecondary education to improve decision-making and leadership practices.