Psychology Faculty Publications

Attitudinal Outcomes of a Multicultural Learning Community Experience: A Qualitative Analysis

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-2009

Journal Title

Journal of Learning Communities Research

Volume

4

Issue

3

First Page

1

Last Page

25

Abstract

Learning communities in higher education can serve as powerful connectors among individuals, particularly when integrating minority and White, non-Hispanic students. We conducted 24 in-depth interviews, using qualitative research methodology, with the 2004 cohort of learning community students from a private, selective, Midwestern university. The students, who were seniors at the time of the interviews, reflected on their perceived outcomes of their first-year learning community experiences. We address the students' shifts in personal biases and stereotypes, factors related to their decisions to become involved with the learning community, their self-reported levels of satisfaction, and suggestions for improving future learning communities.

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