The Intersection between Chickering’s Theory and Generation Z Student of Color Activism

The Vermont Connection Volume 40 (Re)Building, Resistance, and Resilience in Higher Education Article 15 2019 The Intersection between Chickering’s Theory and Generation Z Student of Color Activism Kayla L. Tanaid University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Kevin L. Wright University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc Recommended Citation Tanaid, Kayla L. and Wright, Kevin L. (2019) "The Intersection between Chickering’s Theory and Generation Z Student of Color Activism," The Vermont Connection: Vol. 40 , Article 15. Available at: https://scholarworks.uvm.edu/tvc/vol40/iss1/15 This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the College of Education and Social Services at ScholarWorks @ UVM. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Vermont Connection by an authorized editor of ScholarWorks @ UVM. For more information, please contact . Tanaid & Wright • 105 The Intersection between Chickering’s Theory and Generation Z Student of Color Activism Kayla L. Tanaid, M.A. & Kevin L. Wright, M.A. Student activism is an ever-developing trend on college campuses. The current generation, Generation Z, started college in 2013. Analyzing literature on student development and how it intersects with the student activist identity reveals what institutions can do to further serve students in a generational context. When characteristics of students from Generation Z are given proper attention, campus administrators can better understand student activism as an identity. As current and new generations matriculate through college, institutions need to continuously challenge their processes and recreate equitable and inclusive spaces for their students. Student development theory is the foundational basis of the praxis of student affairs. Current literature supports and challenges the relevance of student development theory to Generation Z, especially folx1 of color who identify with this generation. This article seeks to analyze core traits of students of color within Generation Z, the seven vectors of Chickering’s (2007) identity development theory, and how both factors intersect with student activism. Kimberlé Crenshaw (1989) coined the term intersectionality to explain how systems contribute to the oppression and continued marginalization of people who hold multiple identities that are not recognized as dominant. Each vector and trait will be analyzed with an intersectional lens to provide evidence of how Chickering’s theory contributes to student activism, with regard to serving students of color in Generation Z. As Millennial scholar-practitioners, we seek to provide more insight into the current generation attending college. We acknowledge this article may seem to perpetuate ageism due to how much power is given to the social construct of generational designations. However, based on the context of this article, we strive to explicitly name factors that impact a particular generation, who happen to make up majority of the undergraduate students we serve on a college campus. Furthermore, we seek to acknowledge the characteristics of this overlooked population and recognize their commitment to advocacy toward equity and inclusion. [1] ‘Folx’ is used intentionally to show solidarity with unrecognized individuals. We draw upon Tori Ann Porter (2016), and Danielle Torrez and Princess Reese’s (2017) research who identifies ‘folx’ to emphasize a gender binary system is a product of colonization and oppression of Indigenous peoples. The same reasoning applies in regards to the use of ‘womxn’ 106 • The Vermont Connection • 2019 • Volume 40 Generation Z Generation Z is commonly defined as anyone born between the years of 1995 and 2010; however, other scholars indicate Generation Z was born starting as early as 1994, and as late as 2000 (Dimock, 2018). Generation Z has received nicknames such as iGen, the Delta Generation, and the Digital Natives Generation, to showcase their innovative spirit and strong purpose to enact change (Rouse, 2016; Sanburn, 2015). Other nicknames include the Post-Millennial Generation and the Forgotten Generation to bring attention to how society’s obsession with the Millennial generation contrasts with the relative lack of consideration regarding the presence of Generation Z. Seemiller and Grace (2015) indicated Generation Z has the following traits: • Concerned with education, employment, and racial equality • Aware of troubles and traumas happening in the lives of family members, friends, and communities around the world. • Eager to engage in service that has a tangible and lasting impact on systematic and structural problems. • Motivated by a desire to help and please others, and to advocate and work on behalf of something they believe in. Furthermore, students of color from this generation identify as activists to intentionally resist problematic policies and events on college campuses, and seek to rebuild institutions organizationally. Student activism has increased as repetitive incidents of discrimination, prejudice, and violence have occurred on college campuses. Student Activism On April 16, 2007, a shooting occurred at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University involving 33 fatalities and 23 injuries (Campus Safety Staff, 2018). From the time until April of 2018, 122 people were killed and 198 people were injured due to gun violence in the United States (Campus Safety Staff, 2018; Jones, 2018). In 2001, there were 2,200 reports of sexual assault on college campuses in the United States and in 2014, there were 6,700 reports (Rape, Abuse, Kayla Tanaid is the Native American Program Coordinator at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She received her Bachelor’s in Audiology and Speech Language Sciences and Master’s in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado. Kevin Wright currently is the Black/African American Program Coordinator at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He is also pursuing a doctorate in Professional Leadership, Inquiry, and Transformation at Concordia University-Portland. Tanaid & Wright • 107 and Incest National Network [RAINN], n.d.; Crocker, 2017). In 2012, there were 970 hate crimes reported on college campuses and in 2016, 1,250 hate crimes were reported (Bauman, 2018). Generation Z has been exposed to traumatic events since the genesis of their college attendance in 2013. Additional factors impacting this student population have also involved issues with campus personnel. Students of color in Generation Z have expressed concern about the lack of staff and faculty of color (Matthew, 2016), the exploitation of students of color to showcase institutional diversity, and the lack of training and onboarding processes on inclusion, equity, and social justice for all new and current employees (Primm, 2018). Many institutions have failed to respond adequately to these concerns. Student activism may have an association (...truncated)