NACADA Commission and Interest Group Division

2003 Post-Conference Unit Report

Commission/Interest Group:   Multicultural Concerns Commission   

Chair:    Brian Stanley   

Summary of Annual Meeting at National Conference (agenda items, issues, discussion topics, announcements, etc.)

The group expressed concern about the role of multicultural needs in NACADA. Of particular disgust was the decision to label multicultural concerns as a low priority in the NACADA strategic plan.

Several expressed disappointment about the bimodality of presentations focused on the needs of communities of color in higher education. Many also expressed frustration about how few programs focused on students of color occurred throughout the convention.

We spent the bulk of the time discussing and brainstorming issues of concern to our commission and encouraging each other to make proposals for future conferences-both regional and national.

Suggestions made about the conference:

1. Please schedule the commission meeting EARLIER in the conference. This could be helpful in maximizing the networking opportunities for advisors of color by letting the commission serve as an initial contact point for them to receive resources.
2. Please offer at least one pre-conference workshop focused on advanced topics in multicultural concerns. Past workshops have been more survey focused and the advanced topics work could be helpful for many.
3. Link presentations to pre-conferences so participants who could not attend pre-confs could still have access to information.
4. Please post a conference attendees' list on the NACADA web-site-again, this helps networking.

Approximate Number of Commission/Interest Group Members in Attendance:    30   

Critical Issues of Concern or "Hot Topics" Identified:

We identified these topics and encouraged each other to make proposals at NACADA conference. List generated by attendees in no particular order:

1. Developing relationships with parents/families
2. Working with the bi-racial student
   • Asian Pacific American Student
   • High Achieving
   • Latino
   • Black male (non-athlete) and female
   • GLBT Students of color
3. Crossing the digital divide in at-risk populations
4. Making diversity a priority in NACADA
5. Training advisors to work more effectively with minority students
6. How do we develop effective White allies in the area of multicultural concerns?
7. Where can we find resources for our professional enhancement?
8. Successful tactics for advocating for at-risk populations in higher education.

Unit Goals and Objectives for Next Year:

1. Continue to solicit additional participation and development of programs related to multicultural concerns on campus.

Future Activities Planned:

1. We will have an article in a 2004 NACADA Newsletter.

Volunteer Opportunities Available Within the Unit:

• None at this time

Members Serving this Unit (committee members, liaisons, etc.):

We function as a committee of the whole.