NotesFAQContact Us
Collection
Advanced
Search Tips
Back to results
ERIC Number: ED658018
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 116
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3826-0839-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Where My People At? A Qualitative Ethnographic Case Study of the Impact of Employee Resource Group Membership on the Sense of Belonging Felt by Minority Higher Education Staff Members at a Predominantly White Institution
Diane Brinson-Days
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of Dayton
Minorities working at predominantly white institutions (PWI's) of higher education face many challenges both professionally and personally. One critical challenge for minorities is feeling a sense of belonging (SoB) in their organization. Workplace diversity, equity, and inclusion have become crucial for many organizations as they look for ways to help their minority staff feel valued and included. One strategy that organizations are using to promote inclusion and diversity is Employee Resource Groups or ERG's. ERG's are voluntary groups formed around shared identities and/or common interests. The purpose of this action-research study was to determine if ERG membership had a significant impact on the (SoB) felt by minority staff working at a PWI and to provide actionable steps to improve the (SoB) for minority staff at PWI's. In this qualitative study the researcher interviewed six members of ERG's at a large PWI in the Midwest. The participants varied, in race, gender, age, and role at the University. Three major themes emerged which were identity, belonging, and University support. The findings revealed that ERG membership does have a significant impact on the (SoB) for minority staff. The recommended action steps focus on the theme of University support in the forms of funding, access to information, acknowledgment of the voluntary efforts of staff, and informing new and existing staff of the existence of ERG's. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
ProQuest LLC. 789 East Eisenhower Parkway, P.O. Box 1346, Ann Arbor, MI 48106. Tel: 800-521-0600; Web site: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml
Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A