Bait and Switch: Representation, Climate, and Tensions of Diversity Work in Graduate Education

• Published in: Review of higher education 2019, Vol.42 (5), p.255-286
• Main Authors: Slay, Kelly E, Reyes, Kimberly A, Posselt, Julie R
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Affirmative action; Case studies; College Admission; College campuses; College Environment; College Faculty; College students; Critical theory; Department Heads; Disproportionate Representation; Diversity (Institutional); Doctoral Programs; Doctoral Students; Educational Benefits; Equal Education; Expectation; Graduate students; Graduate studies; Graduate Study; Higher education; Initiatives; Learning; Mentors; Minority & ethnic groups; Minority Group Students; Multiculturalism & pluralism; Organizational change; Outcomes of Education; Psychology; Race; Racial Relations; Racism; Recruitment; Research Universities; School environment; Socialization; STEM Education; Student attitudes; Student Diversity; Student Experience; Student Recruitment; Student Satisfaction; Student Welfare; Students; Success; Teacher Attitudes; Undergraduate Study; Universities; Web Sites; Well being; Workplace diversity
• ISSN: 0162-5748; 1090-7009; 1090-7009
• DOI: 10.1353/rhe.2019.0052

We present findings from a case study of a psychology department that has graduated a significantly higher share of underrepresented doctoral students than national averages for its discipline. Using the campus racial climate framework, we found that organizational/structural diversity initiatives (recruitment and admissions practices), presented a positive image of the department's commitment to diversity to prospective students that diverged considerably from the climate and mentoring relationships students experienced once they matriculated. We compared this to a "bait and switch" phenomenon and considered the consequences for students' success and well being, as well as the ability to sustain diverse student enrollment.