Minority engineering programs at a crossroads: An empirical multiple case study of two historically white public research universities

Abstract

Purpose

Underrepresented groups have fought for equal access to higher education, which spurred the development of “minority” initiatives. However, the assault on affirmative action and race-based initiatives have led many universities to retreat toward more all-encompassing “diversity” initiatives.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the author examines two historically white public research universities. The data include 70 participants with voices of faculty, key administrators, students and recent alumni (within the past three-five years).

Findings

Analyzed through a pattern matching technique, the findings from this study suggest important financial benefits for the “multicultural” engineering program and a sense of communal support for both the “multicultural” and “minority” engineering program.

Originality/value

Given the international attention of raced-based initiatives, this study provides forward-looking insights based on the experiences and perspectives of key stakeholders.

Citation

Newman, C.B. (2016), "Minority engineering programs at a crossroads: An empirical multiple case study of two historically white public research universities", Journal for Multicultural Education, Vol. 10 No. 2, pp. 217-233. https://doi.org/10.1108/JME-01-2016-0016