Breaking Silence, Building Solutions: The Role of Social Justice Group Work in the Retention of Faculty of Color

Abstract

In spite of their many diversity initiatives, predominantly White colleges and universities have a poor track record in the recruitment and retention of faculty of color. This article unpacks the White privilege inherent in barriers to retention by focusing on three standards commonly used to make promotion and tenure decisions: teaching, service, and scholarship. A story of two Native American women faculty members denied academic advancement at a predominantly White university 30 years apart illustrates the White racism that underscored these decisions. Approaches to social justice group work are suggested for addressing the retention of faculty of color in the future.

Keywords:

• faculty of color
• white racism
• white privilege
• social justice group work
• faculty retention