Publication Date
2024
Degree Name
EdD in Global Education
Primary Advisor
Dr. Melissa Whatley
Second Advisor
Dr. Meg P. Gardinier
Third Reader
Dr. Alla Korzh
Abstract
This dissertation explores the relationship between faculty’s intercultural competence and their inclusion competence within the context of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in the United States. The construct of intercultural competence refers to effectiveness in engaging people across cultural differences, while inclusion competence focuses on competences critical for effective performance related to inclusive behavior. Studying these two constructs together provides insight into the potential of intercultural education to contribute to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) efforts at US HEIs, especially in terms of fostering inclusive learning environments. Drawing from data collected using two psychometric assessments – the Intercultural Effectiveness Scale (IES) to measure intercultural competence and the Inclusion Competencies Inventory (ICI) to measure inclusion competence - this study addresses the following research questions:
- What is the relationship, if any, between faculty members’ intercultural competence and their inclusion competence?
- To what extent, if any, do faculty members’ demographic characteristics interact with their intercultural competence to predict their level of inclusion competence?
The study's findings reveal a strong positive relationship between intercultural competence and inclusion competence, providing empirical evidence to support the idea that intercultural learning can be a useful tool in facilitating the goals of inclusion (J. M. Bennett, 2013). Though the results do not provide evidence of a causal relationship between intercultural competence and inclusion competence, understanding the relationship between the two constructs may help institutions consider which types of faculty training and professional development opportunities are likely to contribute to creating inclusive learning environments at HEIs in the US.
Disciplines
Education | Higher Education | International and Comparative Education | Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures
Recommended Citation
Aldrich, Casey, "Assessing the Relationship Between Intercultural Competence and Inclusion Competence: An Empirical Study of Faculty at Higher Education Institutions in the United States" (2024). Dissertation Collection. 2.
https://digitalcollections.sit.edu/dissertations/2
Included in
Higher Education Commons, International and Comparative Education Commons, Other Languages, Societies, and Cultures Commons