Advisor

Rodriguez, Katrina L.

Committee Member

Smith, Thomas A.

Committee Member

Yakaboski, Tamara

Department

Leadership, Policy and Development

Institution

University of Northern Colorado

Type of Resources

Text

Place of Publication

Greeley (Colo.)

Publisher

University of Northern Colorado

Date Created

12-1-2014

Genre

Thesis

Extent

267 pages

Digital Origin

Born digital

Abstract

Five undergraduate students shared stories about the wisdom they gained while working to integrate their global citizen identity into their every day lives. Using a postcolonial theoretical framework and portraiture methodology, this inquiry followed participants during a 13-day global service-learning experience in Yucatán, Mexico. Through on-site observations, creative representations, and two in-depth interviews, provide new understandings about the ways in which five diverse college students integrate and illuminate their global citizen identities emerged. Participant portraits revealed themes based on global citizen identity integration as it relates to personal history, ethnic legacy, and educational narratives among participations. Further analysis revealed participants’ strong commitment to practicing global citizenship intentionally through postcolonial and justice-oriented frameworks. Implications and recommendations for student development and identity theorists include pushing theoretical discourse beyond national contexts when exploring the lived experience of college students. For professionals working in global education, findings from this inquiry create space for educators to re-examine current practices in study abroad education, philosophical underpinning of service-learning, and the value of fostering global citizenship opportunities for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Lastly, implications and recommendations for teaching encourage educators to adopt holistic pedagogies that honor hybrid spaces as deeply transformational opportunities.

Notes

Dean's Citation for Excellence and Dean's Citation for Outstanding Dissertation

Degree type

PhD

Degree Name

Doctoral

Language

English

Local Identifiers

Wyscaver_unco_0161D_10378

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by author.

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