Impact of Pluralistic Mentoring at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA)
Abstract
Academic research demonstrates the importance of implementing measures to enhance human diversity and to ensure campus environments are truly inclusive. Literature on mentoring consistently demonstrates its importance in facilitating the opportunities for students to achieve greater levels of academic success, fulfillment, and human development. However, literature merging principles of human diversity with principles of mentoring is somewhat scarce. The direction of this dissertation was an attempt to develop a pluralistic mentoring program at the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA), which would bridge diversity initiatives with good mentoring practices. Research was conducted to assess the impact of pluralistic mentoring at the USAFA. The research demonstrated both a qualitative emphasis with historical analysis conducted before and during the development and training of pluralistic mentors, and a quantitative emphasis that explored the impact of pluralistic mentoring upon the cadets' attitudes toward diversity and pluralism. The historical research phase enabled the researcher to contemplate the 'etic' issues (presuppositions and philosophical positions gleaned from theory and literature) and to consider the 'emic' issues (the discovery from acquaintance with the case) before accomplishing the quantitative research. The researcher explored the new Officer Development System, unveiled in 2004 to change the culture and the mechanisms for developing future officers. The Academy's leadership, culture, and socialization processes were examined and juxtaposed with literature regarding human diversity and mentoring principles. While the program didn't achieve the desired level of impact, improvement of implementation and execution strategies should allow pluralistic mentoring to complement existing programs. Moreover, pluralistic mentoring, when fully embraced, will enable the Academy to produce culturally competent and socially conscious officers.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA486282
Entities
People
- Jackie E. Wilks
Organizations
- University of Denver