Developing Culturally Responsive Learning Environments in Postsecondary Education

Edited by:
R. Jason Lynch, Appalachian State University
Charmion B. Rush, Western Carolina University

A volume in the series: Contemporary Perspectives on Access, Equity, and Achievement. Editor(s): Chance W. Lewis, University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

U.S. colleges and universities are rapidly diversifying. In 2018, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that nearly half of undergraduate students were of non-white racial identities, with that number only increasing for future generations. Additionally, studies have shown that 56% of undergraduate students identify as the first in their family to attend college, 17% identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community, and 20% identify having a disability. For decades, students have called for institutions of postsecondary education to support their success through adopting more culturally responsive practices for teaching and learning, but few graduate preparation programs or institutional on-boarding initiatives successfully prepare college educators for this task. The authors of Developing Culturally Responsive Learning Environment in Postsecondary Education aim to address this long-standing issue through equipping educators with practical knowledge and skills to meet the needs of the 21st century college student.

Specifically, this volume features 24 chapters divided into four areas critical to developing culturally responsive learning environments: Educator Cultural Competence, Understanding the 21st Century College Student, Culturally Responsive Teaching, and Culturally Responsive Curricula & Content. Each chapter is accompanied by a brief case study that allows readers to apply their learning in real time and explore common scenarios they may face in constructing their learning environments. No matter their institution type, discipline, or rank, we have developed this resource as a starting point for educators across postsecondary education.