2020 Transformative Learning Conference

Expanding Transformative Learning Contexts

The Hispanic Success Initiative (HSI) began in 2015 at UCO to improve retention and completion rates for Hispanic students. Student narratives are an important part of the development and implementation of HSI. While data demonstrates student benefits, we also find benefits to the faculty and staff mentors involved with this program. In the 2018-2019 academic year, the Guatemalan Habitat for Humanity Service Study Tour was added a collaboration between HSI and Leadership Central, where the President’s Leadership Class (PLC) and Leaders of Tomorrow (LOT) programs are housed. This collaborative effort was built, in part, in response to some dissension that was expressed on-campus to student, staff, and faculty governing bodies between Diversity Roundtable and UCOSA students.

In this session, qualitative and quantitative research from HSI will be shared, including student narratives of transformative learning. Faculty and Staff mentors will also discuss the impact of leading and mentorship on their professional work, as well as insights from the recent Guatemalan Service Study Tour. Opportunities for audience interaction will exist throughout the presentation and participant outcomes includes ideas for program development and best practices for leading intercultural transformative learning experiences.