Date Approved

6-28-2016

Embargo Period

6-29-2016

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

M.A. Higher Education

Department

Educational Services and Leadership

College

College of Education

Advisor

Sisco, Burton R.

Committee Member 1

Walpole, Marybeth

Keywords

Campus Climate, Cultural Competence, Diversity, Predominantly White Institution, PWI, Satisfaction

Subject(s)

College students--Cultural competence; Race awareness; Education, Higher--Social Aspects

Disciplines

Higher Education

Abstract

This quantitative study was conducted during the spring 2015 semester at Rowan University—a Predominantly White Institution located in Glassboro, NJ that also consists of classes in Camden, NJ. The target population of this study was all main-campus, full-time undergraduate students at or above the age of 18 years who were enrolled in Rowan University for at least a full semester—during the Fall 2014 semester and returned in the Spring 2015 semester.

The purpose of this research study was to close a knowledge gap for research surrounding undergraduate perception of campus climate for diversity at a Predominantly White Institution as represented by Rowan University. Data were gathered using a web-based quantitative study, assisted by hand-issued surveys to increase chances of study completion. The survey used was an adapted version of Mason’s (2011) study conducted at Southwest Minnesota State University.

Key findings are positive outcomes of students’ perception towards campus climate diversity coinciding with foundational literature for needs to support campus climate diversity. Significance was found with student perceived personal responsibility for the campus climate diversity and overall satisfaction of campus diversity when compared to the participants’ ethnicity.

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