Date of Award

Spring 2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs

Committee Chairperson

Orkideh Mohajeri, Ph.D.

Committee Member

Jacqueline S. Hodes, Ed.D.

Abstract

This thesis will address the racial attitudes on college campuses that have a negative effect on students of color. More specifically, I will be shining light not only on the need for action within higher education, but also the long-term and short-term mental and physical damages that rob students of their right to an equal educational experience. Through the usage of Critical Action Research as my conceptual framework and methodology, it has allowed me to share the common power struggle and challenges that students of color face on college campuses today when dealing with racism and prejudice. I propose a program intervention that challenges the university’s protocols when dealing with racial incidents, while creating a virtual safe haven for students of color through an app called “YOUGood”. In creating a new-found resource, students of color can utilize the app in which provides accessibility to additional advocacy, counseling, reporting racial incidents options, hotline, and an online support group. An effective leader of this position will be someone who is not afraid to see racism as a large systematic oppression, and also willing to act for change. I propose an evaluation through research, action, and change. This is an important topic because racism is powerful and visible, and so are the effects. It does not affect just students of color but the university as a whole.

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