About the Program

"This is essential. Understanding equity and inclusion is central to what we do in advising. We cannot be effective in our work with students and with each other unless we understand our personal biases well enough to identify unintentional microaggressions that we might be perpetuating. We must continually learn and grow to be better neighbors, friends, leaders, and colleagues.” — Anonymous Advisor

What is the Racial Justice Training Program?

Racial Justice Training Program, circle of gold fists surrounding RJTP in center.

The Racial Justice Training Program (RJTP) is a cohort-based racial and social justice education program geared towards all academic advisors regardless of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, or other protected characteristic. Participants will further develop their awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to better serve students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC), thus also enhancing support for students from other historically minoritized groups. In order to engage meaningfully, applicants should have some familiarity with racial justice tenets and a willingness to participate with head, heart, and hand.

This program utilizes a train-the-trainer model. Members of the U of M community have been trained on how to facilitate the program and are our primary facilitators for RJTP cohorts.

Program Background

According to Student Experience in the Research University (SERU) survey results, campus climate satisfaction for students with historically minoritized racial identities at the U of M decreased from 2013 to 2017. To start a conversation about how the advising community could positively impact campus climate, the Advising Initiatives team sponsored a conversation series in spring 2017 framed on this related question ‘How can academic advisors better support students with underrepresented identities?’ One of the dominant responses that emerged from this series was to create and offer more self-reflective training opportunities for academic advisors focused on positively supporting students with historically marginalized racial identitIes.

As a result, the Advising Initiatives team sought volunteers from colleges and student support programs to form a group and consider what equity training would look like for advisors on our campus. Thus, the Academic Advisor Education and Training Group on Racial Equity formed and worked to create a self-reflective training plan to support advisors in their work with students with historically minoritized racial identities.

Goal:

Increase the retention and graduation rates of our Students of Color and Indigenous students.

Action:

Provide reflective training in order to increase self-awareness and elevate the skills of academic advisors to positively support and advocate for students with historically marginalized racial identities.

Key Terms

Racism

A system of advantage and oppression based on race. — Beverly Daniel Tatum
Collective racial prejudice backed by legal authority and institutional control. — Robin DiAngelo

Racial Equity

Equal access and opportunity for all people so all can reach their full potential and are no more likely to encounter barriers or benefits based on their race. — Greater Milwaukee Foundation

Social Justice

Adams, Bell, and Griffin (2007) define social justice as both a process and a goal. "The goal of social justice is full and equal participation of all groups in a society that is mutually shaped to meet their needs. Social justice includes a vision of society that is equitable and all members are physically and psychologically safe and secure.” Adams, M., Bell, L. A., & Griffin, P. (2007). Teaching for diversity and social justice. New York: Routledge.

What is the Racial Justice Training Program?

Academic Advising Initiatives