Pursuing Transformative Inclusion in Higher Education: Becoming Community

Pursuing Transformative Inclusion in Higher Education shares the story of the Becoming Community Initiative, a multi-year effort to pursue transformative inclusion on college campuses. The concept of transformative inclusion posits that true inclusion across higher education requires dismantling oppressive structures and an ongoing process of co-creating community. The contributors share the vision of transformative inclusion and Becoming Community, grounding theoretical frameworks, and how they implemented and communicated this inspiring vision. The book then highlights three main prongs of change through Professional Development Practitioner Certificate Programs, Research and Practice Projects, and Dialogue and Contemplative Action Groups, along with inclusive evaluation. Through this work, Amanda Macht Jantzer, Anna Mercedes, and Brandyn Woodard hope to inspire others to engage a broad coalition of changemakers and to establish an ongoing web of influence to begin to dismantle oppression and foster inclusive community formation in colleges and universities.

Kyhl Lyndgaard, Ph.D.is visiting assistant professor of environmental studies and director of the writing center at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University.

Amanda Macht Jantzer is associate professor of psychology at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University.

Anna Mercedes is Assistant Professor of Theology at the College of Saint Benedict, Saint John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota, USA.

Brandyn Woodard has a master's degree in Human Resources Development and is currently Vice President of Equity and Inclusion at Anoka-Ramsey Community College and Anoka Technical College.