Ryan A. Miller

(Re)defining Masculinity through Peer Interactions: Latino Men in Texas Community Colleges

This study uses a phenomenological approach to examine how Latino male students at community colleges engage with their male peers. The analysis utilizes a male gender role conflict (MGRC) framework and employs cultural conceptions of masculinity, specifically machismo and caballerismo. Practitioners and researchers might leverage positive aspects of masculinity associated with caballerismo to help men succeed academically, while promoting reflection on and interrogation of aspects of masculinity that might lead to negative educational outcomes.

“Sometimes You Feel Invisible”: Performing Queer/Disabled in the University Classroom

Abstract This qualitative study explored the classroom experiences of 25 LGBTQ students with disabilities at a research-intensive university. Drawing on critical/postmodern epistemologies and concepts from both queer theory and disability studies, this -article details students’ experiences in the university classroom related to their multiple, intersecting social identities. Students in the study described processes of disclosing identities in classes, managing perceptions of professors and peers, and experiencing and processing microaggressions.

Queer Student Leaders of Color: Leadership as Authentic, Collaborative, Culturally Competent.

A phenomenological study yielded rich data about the essence of being a queer student leader of Color. Six participants described a desire to be authentic, culturally competent, and collaborative leaders, but they faced challenges enacting these forms of leadership as they navigated oppression (e.g., disrespect, stereotyping, tokenization, exoticization) within a predominantly White queer student group. These experiences prompted them to consider creating a queer people of Color group for support.

Educating Through Microaggressions: Self-Care for Diversity Educators

Universities increasingly call upon employees to educate campus community members on diversity, yet the experiences of these educators are rarely addressed. Via scholarly personal narratives, a team of diversity educators at a predominantly White research university shared their experiences facilitating diversity trainings while attempting to maintain self-care, including their processes of (a) navigating resistance through intersectional identities, (b) proving legitimacy as diversity educators, (c) experiencing burnout, and (d) validating and supporting each as other cofacilitators.

Free Speech Tensions: Responding to Bias on College and University Campuses

Despite the increasing development of bias response teams on college and university campuses, little scholarship has examined these teams and, in particular, team leaders’ approaches to understanding the role of free speech in responding to bias. Through semi-structured interviews, administrators who served on bias response teams at 19 predominantly White institutions described the need to balance free speech with other interests, recognize the nuance of First Amendment protections, and respond with educational conversations.

Perceptions of Campus Climate at the Intersections of Disability and LGBTQIA+ Identities

Though research on the higher education experiences of college students with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) college students has increased in recent years, scholars have rarely addressed intersections of these two identities. Miller and Dika highlight the experiences of 13 LGBTQ students with disabilities at a predominantly white research university in the Southern United States, supplemented by analysis of SERU survey data at the same institution from LGBTQ students with disabilities. The authors include a brief demographic portrait of the undergraduate student participants and the ways in which they describe their multiple, intersecting identities. Presenting results from the study, Miller and Dika address students’ perceptions of the campus climate as well as their recommendations for improving the climate and for others on campus seeking to become allies.

How Community Colleges in Texas Prioritize Resources for Latino Men

ABSTRACT This study explored how administrators at community colleges conceptualized change related to resource allocation and managing competing priorities to support targeted programming for Latino men. The study included the perspectives of 39 administrators from seven community colleges across Texas using concepts associated with institutional change to ground our analysis. Findings revealed that state and national initiatives, particularly those concerned with enhancing success for students of color, influenced how community college administrators approached change on their campuses. In addition, community college institutional mission, leadership, and a desire for data-informed resource management influenced the approach to resource allocation for Latino men.