Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education) [Hardcover]

Raechele L. Pope (Author), Amy L. Reynolds (Author), John A. Mueller (Author), Harold E. Cheatham (Foreword)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0787962074 | ISBN-13: 978-0787962074 | Publication Date: February 17, 2004 | Edition: 1

Today’s leaders in higher education are focused on creating multicultural campuses. However, most higher education and student affairs professionals receive limited training for understanding the complexity of multicultural issues. If multiculturalism is to flourish on college campuses, education professionals must develop the sensitivity and awareness in affirming relevant multicultural issues and develop the skills needed to offer meaningful services to all their students.Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs is a unique resource that offers student affairs practitioners and faculty a guide that features a model of core competencies that embraces the broad scope of multicultural issues including race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and abilities.

 

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Raechele Pope, Amy Reynolds, and John Mueller break new ground in presenting a clear and comprehensive picture of what multicultural competence actually looks like in student affairs practice. Their suggestions for developing multicultural attitudes, knowledge, and skills are imminently practical and very much needed.”
—Nancy J. Evans, professor and program coordinator, Higher Education Program, Iowa State University

“Given the state of affairs in our world today related to the misunderstanding of cultures, this is a must read for those of us in higher education who say we are making a difference in the lives of students.”
—Gregory Roberts, executive director and senior operating officer, American College Personnel Association

“The authors go far beyond the basic and instead present complex competencies related to awareness, knowledge, and skills for model multicultural practice. Further, the case studies are an excellent resource for multicultural professional development.”
—Marylu McEwen, College Student Personnel Program, University of Maryland, College Park

From the Inside Flap

Today’s leaders in higher education are focused on creating multicultural campuses. However, most higher education and student affairs professionals receive limited training for understanding the complexity of multicultural issues.

If multiculturalism is to flourish on college campuses, education professionals must develop the sensitivity and awareness in affirming relevant multicultural issues and develop the skills needed to offer meaningful services to all their students.

Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs is a unique resource that offers student affairs practitioners and faculty a guide that features a model of core competencies that embraces the broad scope of multicultural issues including race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and abilities.

Written by Raechele Pope, Amy Reynolds, and John Mueller–experts in the fields of student affairs and multiculturalism–this important book is based on the authors’ years of practice, teaching, research, and consulting. Comprehensive in scope, Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs contains the most current theory, useful models, and research-based findings.

Multicultural Competence in Student Affair offers student affairs professionals the information they need and:

• Explores the seven core competencies needed for effective and ethical practice
• Contains scenarios that illustrate the ways multicultural issues affect the core competencies
• Describes the awareness, knowledge, and skills needed for effective student services work with multicultural issues
• Explains the administration, management, and leadership skills professionals need to manage effectively in a multicultural environment
• Outlines the helping relationships and interpersonal skills needed to work effectively with students and other professionals
• Explains how diversity can influence teaching and training

In addition, this much-needed resource is filled with illustrative examples of best practices and useful case studies that will help professionals work effectively with a culturally diverse student population.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass; 1 edition (February 17, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0787962074
• ISBN-13: 978-0787962074
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #471,598 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars comprehensive review, December 9, 2007

By 

J. Webb "worldwidejwebb" (northern hemisphere) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education) (Hardcover)

Multicultural competence is an innovative area of practice in the realm of student affairs. It is an area that allows for the practices of study, theory, services, and programs that are offered to college students to be enhanced in all major aspects of student life. Raechele Pope, Amy Reynolds, and John Mueller have put together a compelling and foundational case for that very statement in their book Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs.
The book is divided into two major parts that serve to holistically address the multifaceted issues confronting campus environments composed of multiple cultural influences, both contemporary and traditional. The book is well composed out of extensive research and experience from authors well founded and respected within the field of student affairs.
The first part of the book focuses on a dynamic model of student affairs that encompasses seven core competencies; which enrich performance and understanding of multicultural affairs.
1. Administrative and management
2. Theory and translation
3. Helping and interpersonal
4. Ethical and legal
5. Teaching and training
6. Assessment and evaluation
7. Multicultural awareness, knowledge, and skills

Each one is an area essential to ethical and efficacious practice within the realm of student affairs. Pope, Reynolds, and Mueller do a thorough job throughout the first part of the book of highlighting the intersecting points between each competency and multicultural affairs by showing where and how practicing multicultural competence can enhance each area. In addition to emphasizing the prominence of the multicultural competence in each area, the authors go so far as to offer good-practice examples, in multiple perspectives, for each field of practice. These good-practice examples equip the reader with real life instances that can and are faced daily within the realm of multicultural student affairs. In laying their words so deep within the realm of proven theory and actual practice the authors make a concrete foundation for their model of dynamic multicultural practice in student affairs.
In the second part of the book the authors turn their attention towards the implications of this model for practice and research, which is where the rubber really starts to meet the road. They examine the research of multicultural competence and expound upon its implications into the field of student affairs. Through an in depth presentation of case studies they spotlight the practical applications of the dynamic model and give way to the exponential potential therein. No attempt is made to sugar coat the process as working with multicultural affairs is as sticky a business as it can be rewarding. One point that is made clear above all is that a working knowledge of multicultural competencies is absolutely essential for any type of successful work in the realm of student affairs.
This book functions more than adequately as a handbook for any student affairs professional who is looking to become equipped with the ability to create the a positive multicultural environment on their campus. However one should not enter into this book expecting to arrive multiculturally competent on the other end. This work does not create multicultural competence in its readers but merely serves to advantageously provide the heuristic tools necessary for one to become so. I would recommend it as point of reference or starting block for one seeking to enter into the realm of multicultural enrichment in higher education.
Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs is both concise and effective with its message and would serve as an impressive addition to any collection of student affairs literature. I believe it belongs in the library of every student affairs professional.

5.0 out of 5 stars Invauable handbook, June 30, 2011

By 

Jaime Contreras "donjaime" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs (Jossey-Bass Higher and Adult Education) (Hardcover)

Multicultural Competence in Student Affairs is a well-researched and written handbook for the student affairs administrator. It provides models and guidance on dealing with multicultural issues and situations. It is not preachy in that it allows the reader flexibility in the application of principles. I enjoyed reading it and applying aspects of it. My only regret is that I dd not own a copy sooner. Solid work!