This one-of-a-kind, "how-to" guide is designed to help Indigenous Students and Students of Color (ISOC) thrive in postsecondary education. It spotlights the personal and cultural capital ISOCs bring with them on their postsecondary educational journey. This book helps students identify, strengthen, and use these assets so that success in higher education is not only possible but inevitable. Written by faculty and administrators of color, from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, this guide contains insider advice and strategies to help ISOCs successfully navigate the challenges they might face wherever their postsecondary journey takes them. Through stories and relatable vignettes that help readers envision themselves in the book, this easy-to-use, interactive resource includes features such as Professional Tips, Think Alone/Think Together discussion prompts, and skill-building end-of-chapter activities that help students to develop their assets and hone their skills. Designed to help ISOCs thrive in postsecondary education as their full authentic selves, this book is a guide that can be returned to at any point along one's postsecondary journey. Book Features: Perspectives, ideas, and advice that address the unique experiences that Indigenous and Students of Color are likely to have in postsecondary institutions. Written collaboratively by a diverse group of faculty and administrators of color representing a variety of academic disciplines including law, education, ethnic and women studies, and English. A user-friendly format that students can easily navigate to address their needs as they plan and attend postsecondary education. Appropriate for students attending or considering a variety of postsecondary options, including technical schools, community college, or a 4-year college or university.
Francisco A. Rios is professor and dean emeritus of Woodring College of Education, Western Washington University. Jacquelyn L. Bridgeman is Kepler Professor of Law at the University of Wyoming. Angela M. Jaime is vice provost, Indigenous engagement, and professor at the University of Saskatchewan. Kevin Roxas is a professor and dean of Woodring College of Education, Western Washington University. Caskey Russell is a professor and dean of Fairhaven College, Western Washington University.
Contents Preface: Preparing for the Journey Ahead ?xiii Why We Wrote This Book ?xiii Acknowledgments ?xv Prologue: Beginning Your Journey ?1 1. ?Introduction: Taking Your Initial Steps ?3 The Value of a Postsecondary Degree: Why You Should Read This Book ?3 Educational Attainment for People of Color ?4 Getting the Most From This Book ?6 Terminology Around Race and Ethnicity ?8 Other Terms of Note ?12 2. ?An Assets-Based Approach: Thriving in Postsecondary Education ?14 Introduction to an Assets-Based Approach ?15 You Have Assets ?16 Our Communities Have Wealth ?17 A Note About Theory ?19 Deficit-Oriented Versus Asset-Oriented Theories ?21 Cultural Capital: An Assets-Based Approach ?21 Community Cultural Wealth ?24 Using Community Cultural Wealth to Organize This Book: An Overview of What's to Come ?27 3. ?Aspirational Capital: Pursuing Your Dreams ?32 Introduction to Aspirational Capital ?33 Exploring Aspirational Capital ?33 Introduction to the Authors ?35 Career Choices and Choosing a Major ?44 Types of Colleges and Universities ?45 Planning for Your Future by Choosing the Right Institution for You ?48 Ready to Apply? ?51 Pulling the Application Together ?54 Financial Planning ?55 End of Chapter Activity: Draft and Write the Application Essay ?59 4. ?Cultural (and Ancestral) Capital: Being Your Authentic Self ?60 Introduction to Cultural (and Ancestral) Capital ?61 Exploring Cultural Capital ?62 A Caution About Culture, Race, and Ethnicity ?68 A Note About Intersectionality ?69 Honoring Your Cultural Assets ?70 Ancestral Capital ?72 Identifying Your Cultural Assets ?72 Your Cultural Capital: Pitfalls and Caveats ?73 Understanding the Foundations of Racism ?74 Strengthening Your Cultural and Ancestral Assets ?79 End of Chapter Activity: Finding Your Cultural Assets ?86 5. ?Linguistic Capital: Valuing Your Language(s) ?88 Introduction to Linguistic Capital ?89 Exploring Linguistic Capital ?91 Your Linguistic Assets ?95 Identifying Your Linguistic Assets ?96 Your Linguistic Capital: Pitfalls and Caveats ?97 Strengthening Your Linguistic Assets ?101 End of Chapter Activity: Building Your Linguistic Assets ?104 6. ?Familial and Social Capital: Walking the Path . . . Together ?105 Introduction to Familial and Social Capital ?107 Exploring Familial Capital ?108 Exploring Social Capital ?111 The Importance of Familial and Social Capital in Postsecondary Education Settings ?114 Your Familial and Social Capital: Pitfalls and Caveats ?117 Ideas for Strengthening and Effectively Using Familial and Social Capital ?121 End of Chapter Activity: Recognizing and Strengthening Your Familial and Social Capital ?125 7. ?Political and Resistance Capital: Speaking Truth to Power ?128 Introduction to Political and Resistance Capital ?129 Exploring Political Capital ?130 Exploring Resistance Capital ?132 Your Political and Resistance Capital: Pitfalls and Caveats ?134 Strategies for Strengthening Your Political and Resistance Capital ?135 End of Chapter Activity: Build Your Knowledge to Increase Your Power ?139 8. ?Navigational Capital: Making the Strange Familiar ?141 Introduction to Navigational Capital ?142 Exploring Navigational Capital ?143 Starting With the Basics ?144 People You Will Most Likely Interact With at the University ?146 What Does the Institution Do for ISOCs? ?152 As Former ISOCs, What We Wish We Had Known When We Started College ?156 Communicating With Professors ?158 Other Important Sources of Navigational Capital ?164 End of Chapter Activity: Reverse Navigating Your Dreams ?166 9. ?Humanization Capital: Striving and Thriving ?168 Introduction to Humanization Capital ?169 Exploring Humanization Capital ?170 Keys to Surviving: Using and Building Humanization Capital ?172 Your Humanization Capital: Pitfalls and Caveats ?174 Don't Just Survive, Thrive ?175 End of Chapter Activity: Create Your Proactive Wellness Plan ?178 Conclusion: Putting It All Together-Honoring Your Assets ?180 Our Parting Words ?181 An Open Letter to Faculty, Staff, and Advisors on Supporting Indigenous Students and Students of Color ?183 Glossary of Terms ?187 References ?193 Index ?197 About the Authors ?203
