Generational Diversity

Kenneth Holden, Ed.D.

Dean, Student Services

Houston Community College

Generational Diversity

Generational diversity defined Benefits of gaining understanding to

enhance services to minority males Historical perspective in education

• Four separate and distinct generations• Generational groups

Generational Groups

Traditionalist

• 1927-1944 Baby Boomer

• 1945-1964 Generation X

• 1965-1981 Millennial

• 1982-2003

Traditionalist

Population: approximately 35 million Times in their lives – life experiences

• Great Depression• The New Deal• World War II• Korean War

Traditionalist

Values• Early years and the art of conformity• Respect for authority and rules• Dedication to work ethic and hard work• Benefits of corporate advancements• Experiences – wisdom• Moderation – from hard times to

prosperity

Traditionalist

Educational Styles• Large forums• Formal expertise presentations• Civil and polite environments

Traditionalist

Recommendations• Focus on quality• Encourage to share experiences• Acknowledge rules of engagement

Baby Boomer

Population: approximately 76-80 million Life experiences

• Civil rights movement• Sexual revolution• Space travel• Assassinations• The Vietnam War

Baby Boomer

Values• personal and professional growth• “Me First”• Hard work and high achievement• Risk taking• Optimistic and goal-oriented• Attitudes of 1960’s and 1970’s• Success is largely visible

Baby Boomer

Educational Styles• Workshops and seminars• Panels: different perspectives• Audience participation activities –

game shows• Hands-on demonstrations

Baby Boomer

Recommendations• Help them feel victorious• Provide opportunities for positive

experiences• Become a team player

Generation X

Population: approximately 40 million Life experiences

• Watergate• Desert Storm• Latch key kids• MTV Generation• Gas issues

Generation X

Values• Individualistic, independent and self-reliant• Recycling• Emphasis on diversity• Instant gratification• Cynical of authority and the establishment• Dependence on technology• View of the world

Generation X

Education Styles• Individualized sessions• Focused learning• Computer based instruction• Entertainment• Social networking

Generation X

Recommendations• Provide details and options upfront• Appear to enjoy work• Prove authority

Millennial

Population: approximately 60-70 million

Life experiences• School shootings• Oklahoma City bombings• Technology revolution• Exposed scandals

Millennial

Values• Environmental concerns and sensitivity• Meaningful work sought• Civic-minded• Diversity and cultural tolerance• Respect for authority• Academic pressures• Ambitious• Technologically minded and proficient

Millennial

Education Styles• Computer based and self-study• Need for instant and on-going

feedback

Millennial

Recommendations• Admire them as individuals• Demonstrate personal relevance• Become non-stressful provider of

information

The College Campus

Generation Employees Students

Traditionalist 13% Less than 1%

Baby Boomer 53% 11%

Generation X 31% 37%

Millennial 3% 52%

The College Campus

Educators can help minority males overcome critical issues by understanding:• Generational differences• Views of issues• Value system differences• Life experiences

Sources & References

“College and the Millennial Generation”, Millennial Generation Blog, Kanna Hudson, September 2007

“The Word on Generational Diversity”, HR Horizons, Volume 2, Issue 3 Karla Hignite, July 2007

When Generations Collide, Lynne Lancaster and David Stillman, Harper Business, February 2002