Faculty Engagement in Cultural Mentoring as Instructors of Short-Term and Semester Study Abroad Programs

Authors

  • Elizabeth Niehaus University of Nebraska, Lincoln
  • Jillian Reading University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Matthew J. Nelson University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • Ashley Wegener University of Nebraska - Lincoln
  • Ann Arthur University of Nebraska-Lincoln

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i2.413

Keywords:

Faculty engagement, Study abroad, Short-term, Education abroad, Cultural mentoring

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore what cultural mentoring looks like in practice in short-term study abroad courses, how frequently instructors engage in cultural mentoring, and what demographic and background variables might predict the extent to which faculty members engage in cultural mentoring. Using data from a survey of 473 faculty members from 72 U.S. colleges and universities who had recently taught short-term study abroad courses, we identified four types of cultural mentoring behaviors – Expectation Setting, Explaining the Host Culture, Exploring Self in Culture, and Facilitating Connections. We also identified key predictors of the frequency with which participants engaged in cultural mentoring, including rank, race/ethnicity, and discipline.

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Author Biographies

Elizabeth Niehaus , University of Nebraska, Lincoln

Elizabeth Niehaus is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Administration at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln. Her research focuses on the dynamic interactions of individuals and their environments within institutions of higher education, with a particular emphasis on the international dimensions of higher education. She received her Ph.D. in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Jillian Reading , University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Jillian Reading is a doctoral candidate at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Her research interests focus broadly on issues surrounding faculty members within higher education.  She also serves as the Director of Undergraduate Student Services and Recruitment within the School of Public Health and Health Professions at the University at Buffalo. She holds a master's degree in higher education administration and a bachelor's degree in psychology, both from the University at Buffalo. 

Matthew J. Nelson , University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Matthew J. Nelson is a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. His research interests focus on campus ecology, as well as persistence among student affairs professionals. Matthew currently serves as the Associate Director of Residence Life at the University of Nebraska at Omaha. He holds a master's degree in higher education and student affairs from Indiana University and a bachelor's degree in education from the University of Nebraska at Omaha.

Ashley Wegener , University of Nebraska - Lincoln

Ashley Wegener is an Academic Advisor in Business Advising and Student Engagement in the College of Business at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln.  Along with researching study abroad in higher education, she enjoys advising undergraduate students planning to study abroad.  She received her master's degree in Educational Administration from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and her bachelor's degree in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska-Kearney.

Ann Arthur , University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Ann Arthur is a doctoral candidate in the Quantitative, Qualitative and Psychometric Methods Program in the Department of Educational Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. She also serves as a Statistics and Measurement Consultant in the Nebraska Center for Research on Children, Youth, Families, & Schools (CYFS) in Lincoln, NE. She holds a M.S. in Survey Research and Methodology from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

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screenshot of the original web publication of Vol. 30, Iss. 2, Spring 2018

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Published

2018-04-26

How to Cite

Niehaus , E., Reading , J. ., Nelson , M. J., Wegener , A., & Arthur , A. . (2018). Faculty Engagement in Cultural Mentoring as Instructors of Short-Term and Semester Study Abroad Programs. Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad, 30(2), 77–91. https://doi.org/10.36366/frontiers.v30i2.413

Issue

Vol. 30 No. 2 (2018): Volume 30, Issue 2, Spring 2018

Section

Research Articles