Kendal Washington White, Director, MASS

Marc Johnston, Director, APASAMelissa D. Ousley, Ph.D., Research

Analyst, MASS

The University of Arizona

UA Assessment Showcase 2009

Multicultural Affairs and Student SuccessCultural Centers: African American Student Affairs, Asian Pacific American Student Affairs, Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs and Native American Student AffairsUndergraduate Initiatives: The New Start Summer Program, Maximum Educational Results in Two Semesters (MERITS), Student Support Services (TRIO), MOSAIC Living/Learning Community and LRC 297b: The Connections CourseRetention and cultural programs serving underrepresented students and those at risk for attrition

Utilizing current research, creativity and diverse perspectives, we offer

cutting edge and nationally recognized programs that address the critical

issues of today's students.

Research Reports, Fact Sheets, PRAXIShttp://www.mass.arizona.edu/

Early intervention for first year students

through the College Student Inventory Program evaluation through pre/post

and needs assessments Retention studies The Millennial Student Project

Exploration of how current students

perceive diversity issues Mixed methods: survey, interviews,

focus groups Documentary: Class of 2009 Dynamic Diversity Paradigm Inventory Ousley, Levine-Donnerstein &

Antonellis 2008

Analysis of DDPI: coefficient alpha of .72 for the instrument’s two main scales (Progressive and Conservative), n = 1,459Kruskal-Wallis, Chi Square and Multiple Regression AnalysesDifferences in openness to diversity by gender and ethnicity: ethnic minorities and white females more open than white males

In general, students report openness to concept of diversity, but differ on perception of affirmative action and experiences with prejudice. Results indicate students approach diversity issues in different ways; social justice educators should use different strategies with a consideration for diverse gender and ethnic populations.

Needs Assessment (Spring 2008) Quantitative: Online survey (n=142)

Qualitative: Open-ended survey questions and focus groups (n=34)

Quantitative findings demonstrate significant differences between APA subgroups:

East Asian students were less comfortable than other ethnic groups in receiving support from: API staff in an API center, API staff not in an API center, non-API staff and API peer mentors.

Southeast Asian students were less likely to have parents who were born in the U.S.

Students who identified as “Other” were also strongly correlated with being multi-ethnic, and less likely to express interest in APA leadership programs or APA courses.

Focus Groups (Spring 2008)Students broken down into regional API ethnic groups

Pacific Islander, South Asian, Southeast Asian, East Asian, Filipino, Multiracial/Hapa

Common Themes Mistaken Identities/Perpetual Foreigner Adjustment Issues Pressure to Succeed Resource Disparities Leadership Development/Involvement

EDGE Program ResearchHow effective is a peer-advising learning partnership for AAPI students?—in terms of persistence, GPA and self-authorship?

Pre- and post- assessment, with matched

cohort of non-program peers Self-Authorship Survey (SAS-R; Pizzolato, 2007) Multigroup Ethnic Identity Measure (MEIM;

Phinney, 1992) Semi-structured interviews

Primarily serves students with multiple attrition risks: first generation college students, low income students and ethnic minoritiesSix-week program offering holistic support through enrollment in a Gen Ed course and a success course, mentoring from faculty and peers and social and leadership events58% served are Hispanic62.5% served are female

Comprehensive study on cohorts from 1993-2006, n = 5,970

Chi Square analysis revealed successful completers were significantly more likely to have a higher:

First year GPA (.13 points higher: 2.51 vs. 2.38)

Retention rate (9 points higher: 78.2% vs. 69.2%)

Hispanic and female students who successfully completed had higher first year GPA and

retention rates

Kendal Washington White, Director, MASS

Marc Johnston, Director, APASAMelissa D. Ousley, Ph.D. Research Analyst Multicultural Affairs and

Student Success (520) 621-1094

http://www.mass.arizona.edu/