Jack Droelle
Pronouns: he/him
Research Mentor(s): Katherine Lebioda
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education / Education
Program:
Authors:
Session: Session 4: 1:40 pm – 2:30 pm
Poster: 41
Abstract
The University of Michigan has a long, complex history with race-related activities and recent advancements in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts with the launch of DEI 2.0. While student activism is a large factor in improving race relations at U-M, their stories are often short-lived as they only have a few years on campus. Contributing to this problem is the fact that there are few opportunities for current students and alumni to connect and talk about their experience. This study explores some of these stories through focus group interviews with 34 U-M alumni and current students, aiming to bring generations of students together to reflect on the past, present, and future of the University of Michigan. Through photo elicitation methodology, participants utilized physical artifacts (t-shirts, newspaper articles, figurines, etc.) to engage in conversations about their most memorable campus experiences and shared visions for U-M’s future relationship to race and racism. An analysis of these interviews reveals patterns that vary between different racially minoritized groups and surprising consistencies of inequity across time and space. This project will inform the university on the shortcomings of their existing antiracism and DEI efforts and how to move forward to keep improving student life and experiences for racially minoritized students, using a historical context as a backdrop to motivate change in the future.
