Where My People At? A Qualitative Ethnographic Case Study of the Impact of Employee Resource Group Membership on the Sense of Belonging Felt by Minority Higher Education Staff Members at a Predominantly White Institution
Date of Award
5-5-2024
Degree Name
Ed.D. in Leadership for Organizations
Department
Department of Educational Administration
Advisor/Chair
Clare Liddon
Abstract
Minorities working at predominantly white institutions (PWI) of higher education face many challenges. One critical challenge is feeling a sense of belonging (SoB) in their organization. In this qualitative study six members of ERG’s at a large PWI in the Midwest were interviewed. Participants varied, in race, gender, age, and role at the University. Three themes emerged which were identity, belonging, and University support. The findings revealed that ERG membership does have a significant impact on the (SoB) for minority staff. The recommended action steps focus on the theme of University support in the forms of funding, access to information, acknowledgment of the voluntary efforts of staff, and informing new and existing staff of the existence of ERG’s.
Keywords
Employee Resource Groups ERG's Sense of Belonging Minority Staff and Belonging Belonging Higher Education Minority Staff Minority Employee Resource Groups
Rights Statement
Copyright 2024, author
Recommended Citation
Brinson-Days, Diane, "Where My People At? A Qualitative Ethnographic Case Study of the Impact of Employee Resource Group Membership on the Sense of Belonging Felt by Minority Higher Education Staff Members at a Predominantly White Institution" (2024). Graduate Theses and Dissertations. 7619.
https://ecommons.udayton.edu/graduate_theses/7619
