Learning at Intercultural Intersections

This case study seeks to develop directions for faculty developers to enhance intercultural competencies. It takes advantage of my personal experience as a German national with a Ph.D. in Native American Studies who has recently embarked on a career as a faculty developer. The concept of inclusive excellence and the establishment of a diversity council at the University of Arizona echo the increasing desire to embrace multiculturalism in American higher education. My largely interview-based study currently assembles data on the resources for present and future faculty who teach and mentor along international and Indigenous intersections at the UA. Key questions are: Which aspects of diversity are addressed? How can we counter deficiency models? How does the administrative context influence interculturalism? How is bilateral adaptation facilitated? Where are needs for stronger liaisons? How can faculty developers support the teaching of intercultural competencies and enhance the institution's efforts towards inclusive excellence?