This chapter describes how software technology may be used as an interdisciplinary approach to managing diversity in higher education to mitigate glass ceiling effects.

A diverse society has created a diverse education system, which in turn requires diverse and complex mechanisms of quality control. The diversity and complexity of the industrial, service, and knowledge-based economy, with its vast variety of occupations and dynamic labor markets, heavily influences the curricular structures and academic profiles…

Summarizes characteristics of the higher education landscape and provides an overview of considerations of common interest to institutional researchers at colleges and universities serving diverse populations. (EV)

Asserts that the dynamic nature of virtual classrooms presents numerous challenges to assessment and interpretation. Provides an overview of these challenges and sets forth general measures to guide research. (EV)

An overview of the U.S. service academies is followed by a discussion of contextual dimensions that provide a framework for understanding the success of West Point's recent curricular and assessment initiatives. Some challenges for the service academies in the 21st century are noted, and suggestions are offered for further research on these…

Outlines the history of women's colleges and concludes with a case study of institutional assessment at Chatham College that provides insights for research and analysis. (EV)

Delineates the disparate aspects of internal and external assessments and dispels many common fallacies about historically black colleges and universities. (EV)

Discusses how diversity of mission, student intent, and student demographics should influence state- and institution-level assessment and evaluation of community colleges. (EV)

Five issues that emerge in institutional research when studying diversity on campus are identified: (1) the researcher is part of the change process; (2) in framing research questions, focus on the institution; (3) combining qualitative and quantitative methods can provide greater insight; (4) diversity touches all institutional elements and…

This article focuses on describing how institutional researchers can use qualitative cultural assessments to better understand the role that their campus cultures play in shaping individual and group behaviors and experiences. A special emphasis is given to the implications of institutional diversity in the processes of designing and conducting…

Research indicates that colleges and universities that encourage hiring of diverse faculty and staff, promote diversity as an educational excellence issue, and reward faculty and staff for their efforts to foster diversity are institutions that have integrated diversity and quality issues. A comprehensive institutional approach to diversity is…

Explores how the unique culture and traditions of Native American communities affect college student outcomes and attendance patterns. Emphasizes that the interpretation of assessment and accountability mechanisms needs to account for these contextual issues. (EV)

This chapter provides an overview of the literature on proprietary schools; the diverse students they serve, their distinctive educational characteristics, and an agenda for institutional researchers. (Contains 1 table.)

It is proposed that a better understanding of campus climate may be a critical element in enhancing college and university diversity. Methodological issues associated with this form of institutional research are examined, and studies undertaken at Stanford University (California), the University of California at Berkeley, and the University of…

The role of institutional research in a college or university is closely related to the values, beliefs, and practices of those in authority. Institutional research has traditionally perpetuated asymmetrical power relations and subordination of some groups. However, institutional research can also be designed to promote cultural democracy by…