2nd Annual CSU Conference on Community
Based Teaching and Research: Diversity in California
Keynote and Workshops
Keynote Address
Context Diversity: A New Paradigm for Higher
Education and Beyond
presented by
Roberto A. Ibarra, Ph.D., Associate Professor
and former Special Assistant to the President and Provost for Diversity, The
University of New Mexico
During the last half of the 20th century, higher education struggled to increase
the diversity of faculty, students, and staff on our campuses to match the rapid demographic
shifts occurring throughout the U.S. The current operating models have focused on two
approaches - Structural Diversity (such as affirmative action initiatives aimed at
recruitment and retention) and Multicultural Diversity (culture/gender awareness
initiatives aimed at changing institutional climates.) These approaches have demonstrated
significant measures of success; however, for a variety of reasons these models are now
insufficient to accomplish their goals.
A new paradigm has emerged called Context Diversity that is reframing common
assumptions about the definition of diversity and how it works. This paradigm suggests that
the dilemmas of diversity are associated with conflicts between the context of traditional
university teaching and learning environments and the context of different learners and
scholars entering higher education. These conflicts can be resolved with application of
guiding principles of a new Multicontextual Theory that embraces civic engagement and
community-based learning as the foundation for reframing higher education for the 21st century.
Workshops
Workshop I: Supporting the Development and Achievement of Students of Color
Facilitators: Thomas Brown, Managing Principal, Thomas Brown &
Associates, & Mario Rivas, Vice President Student Services, Vista College
Description: Increasing numbers of students will arrive at college
ill-prepared academically and psychologically for the challenges of college life. If these
students are to have a reasonable chance for success they will need a campus environment
conducive to meeting their special needs. This workshop will provide insight into what
faculty and campuses can do to improve the success of a diverse student population.
Workshop II: Developing Research Partnerships: Challenges & Benefits
Facilitators: Cynthia A. Gomez, Director, Health Equity Initiatives,
San Francisco State University & Rafael Diaz, Professor, Ethnic Studies, and Director, César
Chávez Institute San Francisco State University
Description: This workshop will include discussion of a broad set
of partnerships - CBO-partnerships, funder-partnerships, and peer-partnerships. The workshop
will provide participants with the principles and methods of community-based participatory
research, as well as program evaluation and other research skills that enhance the capacity
of both the academic research and community-based partners.
Workshop III: Diversity and Community Engagement
Facilitator: Rona T. Halualani, Associate Professor, Communication
Studies, San Jose State University
Description: This workshop is designed to highlight the role of diversity
in engaging and interacting with cultural communities. Cultural patterns, communication frameworks,
and community organizing models that span across various cultural communities will be shared. In
addition, Dr. Halualani will identify and discuss a valuable process of dialogic inquiry that
enables faculty to uncover key information about a community and thoughtfully and respectfully
interact with a community.
Workshop IV: Moving from Research to Advocacy
Facilitators: Joely De La Torre, PhD, Associate Professor, Public
Administration, & Director of Tribal Government, Management and Leadership, CSU San Bernardino
and Raquelle Myers, J.D. Staff Attorney, National Indian Justice Center
Description: Native American communities are often the subjects of important
research projects conducted by government and education institutions. Unfortunately, a great
deal of the research conducted in Indian country rarely results in solutions for Indian country.
This workshop will provide an overview of existing research data concerning Native American
communities in the areas of telecommunications, rights of way for energy development, transportation
safety, fetal alcohol syndrome. This workshop will explore strategies for Indian tribes and the
research entities to move from data gathering to implementing change. The lessons learned from
these experiences are applicable to any community seeking positive social change.
