Contact Dr. Antoninka
MITSI — Family Engagement
Engaging the families of Indigenous and Latinx students to ensure a holistic approach to student support and faculty learning
Families are another key stakeholder for universities, and systemic change towards greater equity must consider the role families can and should play. We propose a bilateral model of family engagement that is designed to both ensure a holistic approach to student support and leverage the expertise of families to inform faculty learning. Family and community bonds are complex and crucial to developing successful student pathways and careers for many Indigenous and Latinx students. Transitions to university and graduate programs are often unknown territory and can be a source of stress and adversity for students and families.
To ensure a positive, culturally responsive community of support for the students, we will invite parents, relatives, and friends of seniors in the program to partner in their student’s pathway success. Through in person and synchronous live remote options, we will offer a variety of opportunities to facilitate engagement among all parties.
The student support networks will be invited to participate in a workshop to prepare families and participants for graduate school, pathways talks, and the summer symposium. During the symposium, families will have the opportunity to meet with faculty mentors to enhance the awareness of the benefits of a graduate education and the degree of commitment necessary for success.
We will also draw on the rich assets and funds of knowledge among student support network members by inviting them to co-facilitate learning opportunities for STEM faculty in the Community of Practice and to participate in roundtable conversations and other events designed to build relationships and knowledge across families.