"Like a Family"

Fostering a Sense of Belonging in a Minority Majority University Classroom

Authors

  • David Peterson del Mar Portland State University
  • Laihha Moss-Novak
  • Raya Alkharroubi
  • Arina Borodkina
  • Kenyn Avila-Samayoa
  • Daira Maldonado Ortega
  • Jennifer Marquez Marquez
  • Estefani Reyes Moreno
  • Han Tran
  • Brianna Tuy
  • Tony Vo

Abstract

This Teaching Note, co-authored by nine university students and their Peer Mentor and professor, at the end of a year-long course, argues that the growing socio-cultural gap between students and faculty requires pedagogies that foster a sense of student belonging by faculty becoming "more receptive than authoritative." All of these students are from immigrant families, and most felt very anxious upon arriving at Portland State University and feared that they did not belong. Co-creating a space of mutual vulnerability enabled students to feel both cared for and confident. 

Downloads

Published

2022-04-21

Issue

Section

Teaching Notes