Office of Inclusive Excellence

This study investigated the impact of conducting periodic "check-in" surveys with students in two sections of COMM-101: Fundamentals of Public Speaking. These check-ins were designed to learn more about students' perceptions of their communication apprehension, provide an opportunity to ask questions, and assess student motivation, particularly as it relates to three elements of intrinsic motivation -- autonomy, competency, and relatedness, which have shown to increase student satisfaction and retention (Fortune et al., 2005; Lopez & Horn, 2020; Simons et al., 2004). These check-in surveys were administered to students online in order to provide a low-stakes opportunity to provide feedback that considered characteristics of high-context cultures, such as conflict avoidance and unwillingness to interrupt or question authority.

This study first looked at the average student equity scores from COMM-101 courses taught by the instructor from the previous five years which revealed that first-generation Latine students were more likely to earn a C or D and were less likely than all Latine students to earn an A in the course, with Latino students accounting for most of the variance in grades, particularly As, Ds, and Fs. Further analysis revealed that Latino students' demotivation and disengagement correlated with major speech assignments and manifested by them not attending class and not completing assignments.

Results of using the check-in surveys revealed that the equity scores for Latino students in the two studied course sections significantly improved in terms of final grades -- As, Ds, and Fs. Qualitative feedback from Latino students indicated positive perceptions of the course and positive perceptions of their own learning, with student saying, "Overall I learned a lot more in this class than I expected before school started" and "Probably the only class this semester that I can actually say I developed new skills ... Speaking is very hard for me, but it got a little bit easier towards the end."

When have you felt the sting of exclusion?

Having worked in Higher Education for almost two decades, I unfortunately have felt the "sting of exclusion" the most in my career. Working with the majority of people who do not look like me in spaces and being a Black Woman with goals and aspirations it has been difficult to have folks who understand Allyship and truly share their allyship in their work.

Most of the time I have been met with folks who are not aware of their privileges or position in those spaces. It is difficult at times when you are pouring out into communities who do not value you, your work and do not take the time to pour back into you. If we think about the DEIB Party analogy, this sting often feels like being invited to the party but being told you cannot share your preference for music or food, no one asks if you have food allergens and are blocked from the dance floor and never being asked to dance.

What are some of the obstacles you have faced?

Some of the obstacles I have faced entailed being in spaces with non-people of color who do not understand what it means to be the only marginalized person in a space. Then always feeling like I have to make those folks be comfortable with me instead of the other way around.

What has helped you get where you are today?

What has helped me to get where I am today is for sure my family who reminds me of the challenges that I have overcome. My students remind me on a day to day basis that I matter to them and their journey and this continues to motivate me to fulfill my purpose. My mentors who I have known since I was a high school and undergrad student who take the time to still pour into me and my development. Also having folks who understand their privileges and Allyship in the terms of making space for marginalized people to join them in the spaces they have been privileged to be in.

What advice would you give to current students, students entering the workforce soon or other professionals?

Advice I would give to current students, students entering the workforce soon or professionals would be to find your vibe tribe, the people who are going to hold you accountable, actively listen to you and give you advice to help you move forward. Do not be afraid to fail as long as you get the lesson to not return to that same failure.