Research, Theory, and Practice Within Academic Affairs – serie

Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving: Amplifying Voices of Black and Brown Women in the Mental Health Profession examines the narratives of Black and Brown women all over the world who adherently take on the Superwoman Persona. The imaginative armor of a cape contributes to the normalcy of trying to “do it all” for others while neglecting the self. The book amplifies the voices of Black and Brown women in the mental health and academia professions who needed a healthy outlet to shed light on their experiences. This book stems from an asset-based approach where chapter authors highlight the ebbs and flows they experienced in the workplace due to having melanated skin and/or identifying as Black and Brown. So many Black and Brown women have suffered in silence because of exploitive workplace politics and practices and haven’t felt safe, valued, or heard; the “need” of Black and Brown women became greater than their humanity. Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving is a call to action. It contributes to elevating scholarly conversations for employers who are seeking strategies in promoting equity in the workplace.

Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving: Amplifying Voices of Black and Brown Women in the Mental Health Profession examines the narratives of Black and Brown women all over the world who adherently take on the Superwoman Persona. The imaginative armor of a cape contributes to the normalcy of trying to “do it all” for others while neglecting the self. The book amplifies the voices of Black and Brown women in the mental health and academia professions who needed a healthy outlet to shed light on their experiences. This book stems from an asset-based approach where chapter authors highlight the ebbs and flows they experienced in the workplace due to having melanated skin and/or identifying as Black and Brown. So many Black and Brown women have suffered in silence because of exploitive workplace politics and practices and haven’t felt safe, valued, or heard; the “need” of Black and Brown women became greater than their humanity. Escape the Cape, From Existing to Evolving is a call to action. It contributes to elevating scholarly conversations for employers who are seeking strategies in promoting equity in the workplace.

Higher education continues to evolve and transform, with faculty being an essential component of this establishment. Mentoring is vital to the success of faculty, which can result in positive benefits in the development and eventual success of new faculty members. This mentoring traditionally assists them in acclimatizing to the university and academic environments. However, the ultimate goal should be to assist early career faculty with reaching success beyond their graduate school preparation. Thus, the foundation of effective mentoring should include a network of support, which should include advising, guides, and resources for faculty success, but these components are not always present.Faculty Success in the Academy: Tips, Tools, and Resources for Success fills a need within higher education faculty development, mentoring, and support. It accomplishes this by serving as a guide for new faculty, a rejuvenator for existing faculty needing a boost, and an opportunity for all faculty to identify opportunities that will help them to assimilate as valued members of the academy. Higher education is often a space for transition, conflict, and unanswered questions without a safe space to explore these concerns. This book highlights various faculty voices across the spectrum of higher education who openly share their knowledge to support other colleagues within this unique space. Readers can use this book as a window, mirror, or sliding glass door to help jumpstart or restart their success in the journey of higher education.Faculty Success in the Academy helps readers enhance their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to further their career in higher education. Each chapter extends knowledge beyond what might be present within the readers’ own university, bringing to light resources and opportunities that might not otherwise be openly shared but can be beneficial to the success of all faculty.

Higher education continues to evolve and transform, with faculty being an essential component of this establishment. Mentoring is vital to the success of faculty, which can result in positive benefits in the development and eventual success of new faculty members. This mentoring traditionally assists them in acclimatizing to the university and academic environments. However, the ultimate goal should be to assist early career faculty with reaching success beyond their graduate school preparation. Thus, the foundation of effective mentoring should include a network of support, which should include advising, guides, and resources for faculty success, but these components are not always present.Faculty Success in the Academy: Tips, Tools, and Resources for Success fills a need within higher education faculty development, mentoring, and support. It accomplishes this by serving as a guide for new faculty, a rejuvenator for existing faculty needing a boost, and an opportunity for all faculty to identify opportunities that will help them to assimilate as valued members of the academy. Higher education is often a space for transition, conflict, and unanswered questions without a safe space to explore these concerns. This book highlights various faculty voices across the spectrum of higher education who openly share their knowledge to support other colleagues within this unique space. Readers can use this book as a window, mirror, or sliding glass door to help jumpstart or restart their success in the journey of higher education.Faculty Success in the Academy helps readers enhance their knowledge, skills, and dispositions to further their career in higher education. Each chapter extends knowledge beyond what might be present within the readers’ own university, bringing to light resources and opportunities that might not otherwise be openly shared but can be beneficial to the success of all faculty.

“To be better, we must do better! As educators and practitioners, it is our responsibility to do right by our students, no excuses!”Antione D. Tomlin, PhDAs higher education continues to evolve, institutions are reimagining how they serve adult learners—students who bring diverse experiences, responsibilities, and aspirations to the classroom. Innovative Approaches, Practices, and Strategies in Adult Education explores the transformative strategies, innovative pedagogies, and institutional shifts that enhance adult learner success while addressing the evolving challenges educators face today. Through a lens of equity, flexibility, and student-centered innovation, this collection delves into three critical themes: redefining success through assessment, which examines how multiple measures assessments provide a more holistic understanding of student potential beyond standardized testing; supporting diverse learners, which highlights initiatives that create inclusive learning environments for first-generation, international, and adult students; and promoting flexibility and innovation, showcasing adaptive pedagogical strategies, online learning innovations, and organizational transformation to meet the unique needs of adult learners.With contributions from leading scholars and practitioners, this book offers actionable insights and evidence-based strategies that empower educators to drive meaningful change. It is a call to action for institutions to embrace innovation, cultivate equity, and prioritize student success, ensuring a more accessible and transformative future for adult learners in higher education.

“To be better, we must do better! As educators and practitioners, it is our responsibility to do right by our students, no excuses!”Antione D. Tomlin, PhDAs higher education continues to evolve, institutions are reimagining how they serve adult learners—students who bring diverse experiences, responsibilities, and aspirations to the classroom. Innovative Approaches, Practices, and Strategies in Adult Education explores the transformative strategies, innovative pedagogies, and institutional shifts that enhance adult learner success while addressing the evolving challenges educators face today. Through a lens of equity, flexibility, and student-centered innovation, this collection delves into three critical themes: redefining success through assessment, which examines how multiple measures assessments provide a more holistic understanding of student potential beyond standardized testing; supporting diverse learners, which highlights initiatives that create inclusive learning environments for first-generation, international, and adult students; and promoting flexibility and innovation, showcasing adaptive pedagogical strategies, online learning innovations, and organizational transformation to meet the unique needs of adult learners.With contributions from leading scholars and practitioners, this book offers actionable insights and evidence-based strategies that empower educators to drive meaningful change. It is a call to action for institutions to embrace innovation, cultivate equity, and prioritize student success, ensuring a more accessible and transformative future for adult learners in higher education.

The experiences of Black first-generation college students are often overlooked in academic literature, despite their significant presence and influence in higher education. This groundbreaking monograph fills a crucial gap by addressing the unique challenges, strengths, and narratives of this diverse population. By rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach, Amplifying Voices of First Generation Black College Students unpacks the intersectional complexities of being Black and first-generation, providing a nuanced understanding of their collegiate journeys.This collection explores themes such as the role of family and mentorship, financial challenges, and the cultural capital that Black first-gen students bring to academic spaces. It also examines their experiences across different institution types, including HBCUs. Beyond the undergraduate experience, the book extends its analysis to graduate and professional schools, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the Black first-gen journey. A standout feature is the critical examination of media portrayals, including a fresh analysis of Black first-gen characters in Power Book II. Designed for scholars, educators, policymakers, and advocates, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of equity and inclusion in education. It empowers readers with actionable insights and strategies to better support Black first-generation students, making it an invaluable resource for advancing institutional and cultural change.

The experiences of Black first-generation college students are often overlooked in academic literature, despite their significant presence and influence in higher education. This groundbreaking monograph fills a crucial gap by addressing the unique challenges, strengths, and narratives of this diverse population. By rejecting a one-size-fits-all approach, Amplifying Voices of First Generation Black College Students unpacks the intersectional complexities of being Black and first-generation, providing a nuanced understanding of their collegiate journeys.This collection explores themes such as the role of family and mentorship, financial challenges, and the cultural capital that Black first-gen students bring to academic spaces. It also examines their experiences across different institution types, including HBCUs. Beyond the undergraduate experience, the book extends its analysis to graduate and professional schools, ensuring a comprehensive representation of the Black first-gen journey. A standout feature is the critical examination of media portrayals, including a fresh analysis of Black first-gen characters in Power Book II. Designed for scholars, educators, policymakers, and advocates, this book is a must-read for anyone seeking to deepen their understanding of equity and inclusion in education. It empowers readers with actionable insights and strategies to better support Black first-generation students, making it an invaluable resource for advancing institutional and cultural change.

Supporting Black Male Students in Community Colleges: The Silent Cry for Help is organized around three essential themes that are central to understanding the experiences of Black male students in community colleges and to identifying more effective, intentional, and meaningful ways to support them. Although these themes and the chapters associated with them address complex and weighty issues, and higher education has made notable progress in supporting Black male students, the narratives, lived experiences, and expert perspectives presented in this volume indicate that substantial work remains. Moreover, this book offers only a preliminary examination of the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that shape the lives of Black male students and the practitioners who support them. The three central themes within the book includeBelonging, Humanization, and Community SupportMental Health, Resilience, and Personal GrowthSystemic Barriers, Equity, and Institutional Reform Together, the voices within these themes provide current and former community college practitioners with a platform to share wisdom and insights on how to better support Black male students in community colleges.

Supporting Black Male Students in Community Colleges: The Silent Cry for Help is organized around three essential themes that are central to understanding the experiences of Black male students in community colleges and to identifying more effective, intentional, and meaningful ways to support them. Although these themes and the chapters associated with them address complex and weighty issues, and higher education has made notable progress in supporting Black male students, the narratives, lived experiences, and expert perspectives presented in this volume indicate that substantial work remains. Moreover, this book offers only a preliminary examination of the challenges, opportunities, and experiences that shape the lives of Black male students and the practitioners who support them. The three central themes within the book includeBelonging, Humanization, and Community SupportMental Health, Resilience, and Personal GrowthSystemic Barriers, Equity, and Institutional Reform Together, the voices within these themes provide current and former community college practitioners with a platform to share wisdom and insights on how to better support Black male students in community colleges.

“As a man of color, our image and reputation is everything. I have always kept my personal life and my private life separately. However, when I transitioned into higher education, I saw men who walked like me, talked like me, but also lived their truth in secret like me. It wasn't until I attended a higher education conference where I met this amazing Black man and he told me these words. No matter what you do in this life to thy own self always be true. You have one life, so live it and live it unapologetically. From that moment on, I begin to live my truth. One thing that I have learned is that people will not always respect your choices of how you live your life, however they will respect how you carry yourself when you live the life that you live in a positive light. So today, I am living my life mentoring, coaching, and inspiring the next generation of same gender-living males, because you only have one life to live and you can have it all. Success, love, truth, respect, but most importantly a life free from shame and guilt of denying who you are.” –Desmond Dunklin“One experience that helped shape my identity as a Black, same-gender-loving male was during the height of the pandemic and quarantining. At that time, everyone was stuck inside, while also seeking community outside of our own minds. I was able to find community and curate a space on the audio app, “Clubhouse”. I came together with a group of talented Black Queer men to create the group, “Black Gay Men Chat”! On the app, we were able to educate and highlight the lived experiences of Black SGL men across the world. I tapped into my creativity and my voice in so many ways, by producing multiple projects such as: a talent show through the “Black & Gay” group, a seductive improv audio show, “The Art of Seduction”, a shoot your shot show “The Black Gay Bachelor”, a book club called “Reading Rainbow”, and facilitating/moderating multiple conversations across the platform (crystal meth in the Black Queer community, Black Gay Fatherhood, Dating Red Flags, etc). This experience shaped my identity because I was able to share/facilitate a space with individuals that were able to challenge me and validate my lived experiences, while bringing new perspectives to the conversations. Our group currently has 7,000+ members and showed me the power and influence that we have as Black Queer people when we come together. I recognize that at times society will not accept us fully which was evident in heterosexual spaces on the app where the expectation was for us to show-up "Black first", but we are full people, and we deserve to share and take up all the space we desire, while standing in all that we are. This experience was empowering, inspiring, and made me feel seen holistically.” –Sean Rice, Jr. “As a Black gay male, this project holds personal significance for me, providing a rare space to openly communicate, share, and embrace Black, gay, male experiences within higher education. Each section unfolds as an individual narrative, emphasizing the importance of every unique story.” –Antione D. Tomlin, PhD

“As a man of color, our image and reputation is everything. I have always kept my personal life and my private life separately. However, when I transitioned into higher education, I saw men who walked like me, talked like me, but also lived their truth in secret like me. It wasn't until I attended a higher education conference where I met this amazing Black man and he told me these words. No matter what you do in this life to thy own self always be true. You have one life, so live it and live it unapologetically. From that moment on, I begin to live my truth. One thing that I have learned is that people will not always respect your choices of how you live your life, however they will respect how you carry yourself when you live the life that you live in a positive light. So today, I am living my life mentoring, coaching, and inspiring the next generation of same gender-living males, because you only have one life to live and you can have it all. Success, love, truth, respect, but most importantly a life free from shame and guilt of denying who you are.” –Desmond Dunklin“One experience that helped shape my identity as a Black, same-gender-loving male was during the height of the pandemic and quarantining. At that time, everyone was stuck inside, while also seeking community outside of our own minds. I was able to find community and curate a space on the audio app, “Clubhouse”. I came together with a group of talented Black Queer men to create the group, “Black Gay Men Chat”! On the app, we were able to educate and highlight the lived experiences of Black SGL men across the world. I tapped into my creativity and my voice in so many ways, by producing multiple projects such as: a talent show through the “Black & Gay” group, a seductive improv audio show, “The Art of Seduction”, a shoot your shot show “The Black Gay Bachelor”, a book club called “Reading Rainbow”, and facilitating/moderating multiple conversations across the platform (crystal meth in the Black Queer community, Black Gay Fatherhood, Dating Red Flags, etc). This experience shaped my identity because I was able to share/facilitate a space with individuals that were able to challenge me and validate my lived experiences, while bringing new perspectives to the conversations. Our group currently has 7,000+ members and showed me the power and influence that we have as Black Queer people when we come together. I recognize that at times society will not accept us fully which was evident in heterosexual spaces on the app where the expectation was for us to show-up "Black first", but we are full people, and we deserve to share and take up all the space we desire, while standing in all that we are. This experience was empowering, inspiring, and made me feel seen holistically.” –Sean Rice, Jr. “As a Black gay male, this project holds personal significance for me, providing a rare space to openly communicate, share, and embrace Black, gay, male experiences within higher education. Each section unfolds as an individual narrative, emphasizing the importance of every unique story.” –Antione D. Tomlin, PhD

It is More Than the Miracle Question aims to help counselors, and specifically school counselors, figure out how to utilize a theory, mindset, or belief system in their everyday work with clients. These ideas on how to think like a solution focused counselor were born at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This book is not a strict academic text but instead offers insights and ideas for utilizing Solution Focused Therapy based on training at the Brief Family Therapy Center, years of supervised practice using Solution Focused therapy, readings, research, and decades of training others on how to utilize Solution Focused Therapy.

It is More Than the Miracle Question aims to help counselors, and specifically school counselors, figure out how to utilize a theory, mindset, or belief system in their everyday work with clients. These ideas on how to think like a solution focused counselor were born at the Brief Family Therapy Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. This book is not a strict academic text but instead offers insights and ideas for utilizing Solution Focused Therapy based on training at the Brief Family Therapy Center, years of supervised practice using Solution Focused therapy, readings, research, and decades of training others on how to utilize Solution Focused Therapy.

Black Faculty Do It All: A Moment in The Life of a Blackademic is a work that creates space for Black academics or Blackademics to share their experiences navigating workspaces within higher education and their experiences as Black professionals. The primary goal of this book is to provide insight into Black faculty experiences told by Black faculty. While frequently, Black faculty can feel silenced within the academy, this book offers a platform for all Black faculty’s voices to be heard loud and clear.Contributing authors share advantages and challenges they experience as Blackademics and the impact these experiences have on their well-being and career trajectory. Moreover, the authors provide insight and advice on how current and potential Blackademics can succeed and thrive, even with all the barriers or obstacles they face. Contributing Blackacdemics collective has a wealth of knowledge and disciplines represented, expertise, position full-time and part-time, and years of experience in higher education. Additionally, authors also come from all over the United States. With this range of expertise and knowledge, authors also provide advice, strategies, and ways of being for institutions to support their Black faculty and for Black faculty to support themselves.Despite all the efforts with diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist initiatives, Black faculty is still not okay (Tomlin, 2022). While many Black faculty have challenges in the profession, we are not suggesting that all Black faculty face the same issues. In fact, 'the idea that all Black faculty would share the same experiences is a fallacy, and the insinuation is as dangerous as assuming that all Black people are the same' (Allen & Steward, 2022, p. 2). Moreover, this book serves as a space for contributing authors not to speak for all Black faculty but themselves. As editor and a Blackademic myself, I encouraged and pushed all contributing authors to stand in their Blackness unapologetically. This book is the outcome of Black faculty loving and supporting Black faculty. Higher education institutions, colleagues, and other stakeholders can learn a great deal from the narratives and experiences shared to look at the intentional recruitment, retention, and psychological well-being of Black faculty. Thus, Black Faculty Do It All: A Moment in The Life of a Blackademic is positioned to be a must-read for all higher education professionals, institutions, and stakeholders looking for strategies to do right back for Black faculty.

Black Faculty Do It All: A Moment in The Life of a Blackademic is a work that creates space for Black academics or Blackademics to share their experiences navigating workspaces within higher education and their experiences as Black professionals. The primary goal of this book is to provide insight into Black faculty experiences told by Black faculty. While frequently, Black faculty can feel silenced within the academy, this book offers a platform for all Black faculty’s voices to be heard loud and clear.Contributing authors share advantages and challenges they experience as Blackademics and the impact these experiences have on their well-being and career trajectory. Moreover, the authors provide insight and advice on how current and potential Blackademics can succeed and thrive, even with all the barriers or obstacles they face. Contributing Blackacdemics collective has a wealth of knowledge and disciplines represented, expertise, position full-time and part-time, and years of experience in higher education. Additionally, authors also come from all over the United States. With this range of expertise and knowledge, authors also provide advice, strategies, and ways of being for institutions to support their Black faculty and for Black faculty to support themselves.Despite all the efforts with diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racist initiatives, Black faculty is still not okay (Tomlin, 2022). While many Black faculty have challenges in the profession, we are not suggesting that all Black faculty face the same issues. In fact, 'the idea that all Black faculty would share the same experiences is a fallacy, and the insinuation is as dangerous as assuming that all Black people are the same' (Allen & Steward, 2022, p. 2). Moreover, this book serves as a space for contributing authors not to speak for all Black faculty but themselves. As editor and a Blackademic myself, I encouraged and pushed all contributing authors to stand in their Blackness unapologetically. This book is the outcome of Black faculty loving and supporting Black faculty. Higher education institutions, colleagues, and other stakeholders can learn a great deal from the narratives and experiences shared to look at the intentional recruitment, retention, and psychological well-being of Black faculty. Thus, Black Faculty Do It All: A Moment in The Life of a Blackademic is positioned to be a must-read for all higher education professionals, institutions, and stakeholders looking for strategies to do right back for Black faculty.

Don’t Forget About the Adjuncts! is a work that creates space for adjuncts to share their experiences navigating workspaces within higher education and their experiences as part-time faculty. The primary goal of this book is to allow adjuncts to share their experiences navigating workspaces as frequently undervalues faculty in higher education. While frequently, adjunct faculty can feel unheard within higher education institutions, this book offers a platform for adjunct voices to be heard loud and clear.Contributing authors share the advantages and challenges they experience as adjuncts and the impact these experiences have on their well-being and career trajectory. Moreover, the authors provide insight and advice on how current and potential adjuncts can succeed and thrive, even with all the barriers or obstacles they face. The adjunct voices in this text have a wealth of knowledge and disciplines represented, expertise, and years of experience in higher education. Additionally, authors also come from all over the United States. With this range of expertise and knowledge, authors also provide advice, strategies, and ways of being for institutions to support their adjunct faculty and for adjuncts to support themselves.While many challenges are thrown at adjunct faculty, we are not suggesting that all adjunct faculty face the same issues. Moreover, this book serves as a space for contributing authors not to speak for all adjunct faculty but themselves. As editor and previous adjunct faculty myself, I encouraged and pushed all contributing authors to stand in their truth and take pride in this role. This book is the outcome of adjunct faculty loving and supporting their profession. Higher education institutions, colleagues, and other stakeholders can learn a great deal from the narratives and experiences shared to look at the intentional recruitment, retention, and psychological well-being of adjunct faculty. Thus, Don't Forget About the Adjuncts! is positioned to be a must-read for all higher education professionals, institutions, and stakeholders looking for strategies to do right by and for adjunct faculty.

Don’t Forget About the Adjuncts! is a work that creates space for adjuncts to share their experiences navigating workspaces within higher education and their experiences as part-time faculty. The primary goal of this book is to allow adjuncts to share their experiences navigating workspaces as frequently undervalues faculty in higher education. While frequently, adjunct faculty can feel unheard within higher education institutions, this book offers a platform for adjunct voices to be heard loud and clear.Contributing authors share the advantages and challenges they experience as adjuncts and the impact these experiences have on their well-being and career trajectory. Moreover, the authors provide insight and advice on how current and potential adjuncts can succeed and thrive, even with all the barriers or obstacles they face. The adjunct voices in this text have a wealth of knowledge and disciplines represented, expertise, and years of experience in higher education. Additionally, authors also come from all over the United States. With this range of expertise and knowledge, authors also provide advice, strategies, and ways of being for institutions to support their adjunct faculty and for adjuncts to support themselves.While many challenges are thrown at adjunct faculty, we are not suggesting that all adjunct faculty face the same issues. Moreover, this book serves as a space for contributing authors not to speak for all adjunct faculty but themselves. As editor and previous adjunct faculty myself, I encouraged and pushed all contributing authors to stand in their truth and take pride in this role. This book is the outcome of adjunct faculty loving and supporting their profession. Higher education institutions, colleagues, and other stakeholders can learn a great deal from the narratives and experiences shared to look at the intentional recruitment, retention, and psychological well-being of adjunct faculty. Thus, Don't Forget About the Adjuncts! is positioned to be a must-read for all higher education professionals, institutions, and stakeholders looking for strategies to do right by and for adjunct faculty.

This book, Voices of the Field: DEIA Champions in Higher Education, will explore the experiences and stories of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-racist (DEIA) champions and leaders within higher education. There is no doubt that in response to the United States’ current racial climate that higher education institutions have DEIA at the forefront of their operations. Consequently, “as a Black academic or Blackademic educator and DEIA champion, I am not sure I always see institutions and organizations walking the walk and doing the work it takes to live up to those missions, visions, and strategic plans.” (Tomlin, 2022, para. 1). From our experience, this is partly because institutions do not know how to support and encourage all higher education professionals, no matter working area, gender, or race to become more DEIA minded. So, this book will share stories of champions of DEIA along with how other higher education professionals jump in.Like some of our other projects, we approach this book from an asset-based approach where chapter authors are taking more of an anti-deficit approach. So, while each chapter author will explore the challenges and opportunities that come with being a DEIA champion within higher education, we will not focus entirely on what higher education institutions or doing wrong; rather, how the tools, tips, and strategies provided can help support current and potential champions of the work and field. One especially important contribution of this book is that authors come from many different spaces, departments, and divisions within higher education including: admissions, student life, curriculum and instruction, service learning, alumni relations, career services, intercultural affairs and many others. Additionally, chapter authors' demographics make up a wide range of ages, ethnicities, abilities, and expertise. Given the breadth of experiences, each chapter will provide poignant suggestions for DEIA champions across the nation as well as for institutions who are looking to better understand, advocate for, support their own DEIA champions.The work of DEI practitioners is a work that often goes unnoticed. The long days, nights, exhaustion, and lack of mental capacity due to constant going and potential burnout is the price practitioners pay to fight the fight of creating more equitable spaces. Griffin (2021) noted, “The DEI practitioner is becoming a household name in some industries–like education–an emerging staple.” (p. xxv). we agree with Griffin; moreover, these household names are not getting the attention, respect, or resources they need to continue being successful in their roles. Additionally, we add anti-racist to DEI, as being anti-racist is an action. We argue it is the action that brings all the other pieces of the work together. Its the demonstration and active practice of fighting against racism that helps to shift and change a culture. This book will aid in showing all higher education professionals some approaches to being more effective DEIA champions while also taking action and moving more toward anti-racism as a mindset and way of being. Thus, Voices of the Field: DEIA Champions in Higher Education is positioned to be a must-read for all higher education professionals and institutions who are looking for strategies to support, promote, and encourage the growth and development of DEIA champions.

This book, Voices of the Field: DEIA Champions in Higher Education, will explore the experiences and stories of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Anti-racist (DEIA) champions and leaders within higher education. There is no doubt that in response to the United States’ current racial climate that higher education institutions have DEIA at the forefront of their operations. Consequently, “as a Black academic or Blackademic educator and DEIA champion, I am not sure I always see institutions and organizations walking the walk and doing the work it takes to live up to those missions, visions, and strategic plans.” (Tomlin, 2022, para. 1). From our experience, this is partly because institutions do not know how to support and encourage all higher education professionals, no matter working area, gender, or race to become more DEIA minded. So, this book will share stories of champions of DEIA along with how other higher education professionals jump in.Like some of our other projects, we approach this book from an asset-based approach where chapter authors are taking more of an anti-deficit approach. So, while each chapter author will explore the challenges and opportunities that come with being a DEIA champion within higher education, we will not focus entirely on what higher education institutions or doing wrong; rather, how the tools, tips, and strategies provided can help support current and potential champions of the work and field. One especially important contribution of this book is that authors come from many different spaces, departments, and divisions within higher education including: admissions, student life, curriculum and instruction, service learning, alumni relations, career services, intercultural affairs and many others. Additionally, chapter authors' demographics make up a wide range of ages, ethnicities, abilities, and expertise. Given the breadth of experiences, each chapter will provide poignant suggestions for DEIA champions across the nation as well as for institutions who are looking to better understand, advocate for, support their own DEIA champions.The work of DEI practitioners is a work that often goes unnoticed. The long days, nights, exhaustion, and lack of mental capacity due to constant going and potential burnout is the price practitioners pay to fight the fight of creating more equitable spaces. Griffin (2021) noted, “The DEI practitioner is becoming a household name in some industries–like education–an emerging staple.” (p. xxv). we agree with Griffin; moreover, these household names are not getting the attention, respect, or resources they need to continue being successful in their roles. Additionally, we add anti-racist to DEI, as being anti-racist is an action. We argue it is the action that brings all the other pieces of the work together. Its the demonstration and active practice of fighting against racism that helps to shift and change a culture. This book will aid in showing all higher education professionals some approaches to being more effective DEIA champions while also taking action and moving more toward anti-racism as a mindset and way of being. Thus, Voices of the Field: DEIA Champions in Higher Education is positioned to be a must-read for all higher education professionals and institutions who are looking for strategies to support, promote, and encourage the growth and development of DEIA champions.

COVID-19 and increased attention to how institutions of higher education (IHEs) serve an increasingly diverse student population have brought conversations about 'standard' practices from the margins to the center as faculty explore how to improve learning and student success for all students.Historically, IHEs were built by a privileged class for a privileged class, a system, and structure built on specific epistemologies, practices, and habits of mind and language that replicate privilege and leave many students underserved in their academic pursuits.One way faculty have increased equity in their college classrooms is through the use of alternative assessment (alt-assessment) practices. This volume aims to share the experiences of faculty who have leveraged 'non-traditional' grading paradigms for the sake of increasing student learning, a sense of belonging, and equity in their classrooms. Meant to orient faculty who are considering how to implement alt-assessment in their own classes as well as those who are already employing various grading frameworks, this volume will celebrate new and innovative approaches, share lessons learned, and invite a broader coalition of faculty into the stream of conversation about pedagogical innovation.Faculty, educators, and practitioners share their approaches to alternate assessment in this volume, as well as the critiques, lessons, and outcomes associated with their pedagogical decisions. Written by practitioners for practitioners, we hope the book will provide theoretical and practical guidance for alternative assessment practices such as ungrading, contract grading, standards-based grading, and labor-based grading across various disciplines and within different academic contexts.

COVID-19 and increased attention to how institutions of higher education (IHEs) serve an increasingly diverse student population have brought conversations about 'standard' practices from the margins to the center as faculty explore how to improve learning and student success for all students.Historically, IHEs were built by a privileged class for a privileged class, a system, and structure built on specific epistemologies, practices, and habits of mind and language that replicate privilege and leave many students underserved in their academic pursuits.One way faculty have increased equity in their college classrooms is through the use of alternative assessment (alt-assessment) practices. This volume aims to share the experiences of faculty who have leveraged 'non-traditional' grading paradigms for the sake of increasing student learning, a sense of belonging, and equity in their classrooms. Meant to orient faculty who are considering how to implement alt-assessment in their own classes as well as those who are already employing various grading frameworks, this volume will celebrate new and innovative approaches, share lessons learned, and invite a broader coalition of faculty into the stream of conversation about pedagogical innovation.Faculty, educators, and practitioners share their approaches to alternate assessment in this volume, as well as the critiques, lessons, and outcomes associated with their pedagogical decisions. Written by practitioners for practitioners, we hope the book will provide theoretical and practical guidance for alternative assessment practices such as ungrading, contract grading, standards-based grading, and labor-based grading across various disciplines and within different academic contexts.

The aim of this book is to allow past and present higher education leaders to offer wisdom and advice for new and potential leaders. Each chapter author shares experiences, strategies, and recommendations for both academic and student affairs leaders across divisions and departments to help new and aspiring leaders on their journey to success. While there is no one true definition of leadership, we hope this text will add to the conversation about impactful and effective leadership.Each chapter is rich in knowledge and perspective that support the current and next generation of leaders. We approach this book as a handbook, where chapter authors reflect upon their journeys to glean insight and wisdom. Each chapter is formatted in a similar way. Each author details their unique journeys into their respective fields, trajectory to leadership, and experiences that helped shape their leadership approaches. Then, the authors look back to discern advice they would share with themselves as new higher education leaders and what (if anything) they would do differently. Lastly, the authors share rich tips, strategies, and recommendations for new and potential higher education leaders on achieving success in the field. We are confident that there will be a notion or practice within these chapters to support all who read. Chapter authors are from a variety of disciplines.We see this book as a volume that can be used by practitioners and aspiring practitioners across the nation as inspiration to higher education leaders on navigating careers in higher education and how to be an effective leader. Throughout the book, we offer four themes that provide more insight into tips, strategies, and recommendations for new and potential higher education leaders on how to achieve success in the field. While each chapter in this book follows the structure mentioned above, the themes illuminate the experiences of higher education leaders and their individual and collective journeys.

The aim of this book is to allow past and present higher education leaders to offer wisdom and advice for new and potential leaders. Each chapter author shares experiences, strategies, and recommendations for both academic and student affairs leaders across divisions and departments to help new and aspiring leaders on their journey to success. While there is no one true definition of leadership, we hope this text will add to the conversation about impactful and effective leadership.Each chapter is rich in knowledge and perspective that support the current and next generation of leaders. We approach this book as a handbook, where chapter authors reflect upon their journeys to glean insight and wisdom. Each chapter is formatted in a similar way. Each author details their unique journeys into their respective fields, trajectory to leadership, and experiences that helped shape their leadership approaches. Then, the authors look back to discern advice they would share with themselves as new higher education leaders and what (if anything) they would do differently. Lastly, the authors share rich tips, strategies, and recommendations for new and potential higher education leaders on achieving success in the field. We are confident that there will be a notion or practice within these chapters to support all who read. Chapter authors are from a variety of disciplines.We see this book as a volume that can be used by practitioners and aspiring practitioners across the nation as inspiration to higher education leaders on navigating careers in higher education and how to be an effective leader. Throughout the book, we offer four themes that provide more insight into tips, strategies, and recommendations for new and potential higher education leaders on how to achieve success in the field. While each chapter in this book follows the structure mentioned above, the themes illuminate the experiences of higher education leaders and their individual and collective journeys.

This book puts forward practical tools and applicable theories for enhancing the listening skills and pedagogical approaches of teachers and educators in the context of language-minoritized and multilingual learners. What does it mean for us to really hear them? How can we more fully facilitate inviting, celebratory, and sustaining learning spaces? What listening skills should the faculty who prepare pre-service teachers for linguistically diverse classrooms impart? By asking these questions, we seek to upend deficit models of language learning and usage in order to attune practitioner-scholars to the powerful voices of language-diverse students in our classrooms, schools, and communities. This book is organized into three parts to help practitioner-scholars explore the space where theory meets practice to amplify the voices of languageminoritized learners.