Implementing diversity in graduate education: CIC administrators and the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP)

This study explores the perceptions of university administrators regarding the Summer Research Opportunities Program (SROP). The program was developed with the goal of diversifying the graduate programs at the CIC institutions. Interviews were conducted with senior level administrators at each of the fifteen sites. These campus leaders provided insights into the program rationale in addition to identifying the opportunities and challenges that have resulted from its implementation. The findings suggest that these institutional leaders are keenly aware of the severe underrepresentation of minority students across the graduate programs. Given this condition, the SROP serves as an outreach and recruitment tool that is necessary to develop a pipeline for minority graduate students. Program participants are encouraged to pursue advanced degrees and consequently seek faculty positions. While there has been progress in the development of a talent pool, the ultimate goal of diversifying graduate programs and the faculty ranks has proven to be a difficult task and continues to be a challenge. However, these institutions remain committed to the program as they aspire to achieve diverse campus communities. The findings also suggest that in order to create diverse campuses, institutions must continuously assess their structural environments and realign or add to their efforts accordingly.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Policy Studies

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2014

Author dc:creator

• Perez, Victor

Contributors dc:contributor

• Anderson, James D.
• Ikenberry, Stanley O.
• Trent, William T.
• Parker, Laurence J.

• Access
• Equity
• Diversity
• Graduate Education
• Undergraduate Research Programs

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2014 Victor H. Perez

Language dc:language

en

Handle dc:identifier

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/50394

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/50394