Document Type

Article

Publication Title

Journal for Multicultural Education

Abstract

Purpose: The SPAUD department at Calvin University recognized the need for initiatives that focused on intentionally enfolding and supporting Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), international, and third culture students in a competitive major like communication sciences and disorders (CSD). These initiatives focused on diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) practices, specifically: (1) to support retention and empowerment of students through peer mentoring and small group meetings; and (2) to equip the department to empower faculty and students to thrive together in the program and in their vocation through capacitybuilding.

Study design/methodology/approach: This is a case study paper outlining three initiatives aimed at creating a departmental community that is inclusive and builds skills for engaging across lines of difference.  Findings: Students interviewed from the peer mentoring program reported an increased sense of belonging. The capacity-building workshops have been well-attended, and there is an overall positive trend toward increased understanding and appreciation of faculty, students, and clients from different backgrounds. Students and faculty who participated in the small group community were able to share their joys and challenges regarding the program as well as provide feedback on what might be further improved.

Originality/value: The initiatives presented in this case study paper provide an original model for increasing retention and empowerment, and for capacity-building to equip all faculty and students to thrive together within a CSD program, with the aim that other programs can adapt this model to meet the needs of their constituents.

First Page

55

Last Page

66

DOI

https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-01-2025-0021

Publication Date

1-13-2026

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 License.

Comments

This is the accepted version of the article. The final, published version is available here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/org/science/article/abs/pii/S2053535X25000400

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