The research conducted in this study as hosted by our HASS scholars program, surrounds the topic of academic resources for black and latinx students at predominantly white institutions (PWIs), specifically Miami University. In order to collect data for this research a survey was sent out to undergraduate students. We posed survey questions that ask about the support received by students from their academic advisors, whether or not there is an academic resource on campus that reflects student identities, if inaccessibility manifests in classes, what makes a good academic resource and finally we ask if a student’s program or major has a safe space for minority students. By examining the Miami University population, we focus on undergraduate students and further articulate and identify how black and latinx students are impacted by accessibility of academic resources. We found that because people of color, and predominantly black and latinx students often get undermined in PWIs, our main goal is to understand if Miami University provides resources to these minority students and what objectively must be done to provide help for students during this culturally holistic time at Miami. From our research, we have discovered that Miami students are experiencing less than satisfactory academic advising, and that this gap is widened when you intersect the student’s identity. As students attending Miami University, and as a multicultural group, we value the results and outcomes of this research because it directly impacts our careers at Miami. We want to help other students of this background experience more fulfilling experiences in academics at Miami University.
Author(s): Nya Hodge, English Creative Writing and Journalism Major
Sarah Flowers, Political Science and Individualized Studies Major
Lucas Sneller, Political Science and Economics Major
Shea Diddle, Psychology and Neuroscience
Advisor(s): Carolyn Craig, DEIB & Visiting Faculty, College of Arts and Science
Abigail Morgan, University Libraries
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