Recipient of the 2021 Innovation Award of The Multiracial Network (MRN)
In the last Census, over 9 million people – nearly 3% of the population – identified themselves as of two or more races. The proportion of college students who identify as Multiracial is somewhat higher, and growing. Although increasing at a slightly slower rate, Multiracial faculty and staff are also teaching and working on campuses in greater numbers. Together, Multiracial people from diverse backgrounds and in various roles are influencing college and university culture, practices, and climate. This book centers the experiences of Multiracial people, those individuals claiming heritage and membership in two or more (mono)racial groups and/or identifies with a Multiracial term. These terms include the broader biracial, multiethnic, and mixed, or more specific terms like Blasian and Mexipino. In addressing the recurring experiences of inclusion, exclusion, affirmation, and challenges that they encounter, the contributors identify the multiple sites in higher education that affect personal perceptions of self, belonging, rejection, and resilience; describe strategies they utilized to support themselves or other Multiracial people at their institutions; and to advocate for greater awareness of Multiracial issues and a commitment to institutional change.
In covering an array of Multiracial experiences, the book brings together a range of voices, social identities (including race), ages, perspectives, and approaches. The chapter authors present a multiplicity of views because, as the book exemplifies, multiracial people are not a monolithic group, nor are their issues and needs universal to all. The book opens by outlining the literature and theoretical frameworks that provide context and foundations for the chapters that follow. It then presents a range of first-person narratives – reflecting the experiences of students, faculty, and staff – that highlight navigating to and through higher education from diverse standpoints and positionalities. The final section offers multiple strategies and applied methods that can be used to enhance Multiracial inclusion through research, curriculum, and practice. The editors conclude with recommendations for future scholarship and practice. This book invites Multiracial readers, their allies, and those people who interact with and influence the daily lives of Multiracial people to explore issues of identity and self-care, build coalitions on campus, and advocate for change.
For administrators, student affairs personnel, and anyone concerned with diversity on campus, it opens a window on a growing population with whom they may be unfamiliar, mis-categorize, or overlook, and on the need to change systems and structures to address their full inclusion and unveil their full impact.
Contributors: e alexander, Rebecca Cepeda, Lisa Combs, Wei Ming Dariotis, Nick Davis, Kira Donnell, Chelsea Guillermo-Wann, Jessica C. Harris, Andrew Jolivette, Naliyah Kaya, Nicole Leopardo, Heather C. Lou, Victoria K. Malaney Brown, Charlene C. Martinez, Orkideh Mohajeri, Maxwell Pereyra, Kristen A. Renn, and Stephanie N. Shippen.
Marc P. Johnston-Guerrero is an Associate Professor in the Higher Education and Student Affairs program at The Ohio State University and is affiliated faculty with the Asian American Studies program. He completed a Ph.D. in Education (with an emphasis in Higher Education & Organizational Change) from the University of California, Los Angeles, where he did assessment work for UCLA’s Office of Residential Life and served as a Graduate Fellow in UCLA’s Institute for Society and Genetics. These experiences integrated his background in Human Biology (BS, Michigan State University) and Student Affairs Administration (MA, Michigan State University). He has worked in multicultural affairs units across several institutions, including the University of Arizona and New York University. Marc’s research interests focus on diversity and social justice issues in higher education and student affairs, with specific attention to college students making meaning of race and racism and multiracial/mixed race issues. He serves the field of higher education through his involvement in the American College Personnel Association (ACPA) Governing Board as Member-at-Large, Faculty, and as an Associate Editor of the Journal of Higher Education. Charmaine L. Wijeyesinghe, EdD, is a consultant with over 35 years of experience lecturing and writing on social justice, racial and social identity, intersectionality, and conflict resolution. She held several positons in student affairs including Staff Associate to the Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs and Assistant Ombudsperson at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, and Dean of Student at Mount Holyoke College. As National Program Consultant for the National Conference for Christians and Jews, Charmaine developed and facilitated staff, client, and board programs for 62 regional offices around the country. In addition to authoring book chapters and articles, she served as volume co-editor (with Bailey Jackson) for two editions of New Per
