0. Microaggressions in Advising Relationships
Microaggressions in Advising Relationships. Building an Inclusive Advising Climate.
Dr. Doris Wright Carroll, Kansas State University and
Annie Hoekman, Kansas Wesleyan University
The National Academic Advising Association 39th Annual Conference
Las Vegas, Nevada
October 4-7, 2015

1. About the Presenters
Associate Professor in the College of Education’s Department Special Education, Counseling and Student Affairs at Kansas State University in Manhattan, Kansas.
Assistant Professor of Computer Studies at Kansas Wesleyan University in Salina, Kansas and Doctoral Candidate at Kansas State University

2. Academic advising is…….
dynamic communication with an exchange of ideas, beliefs and perceptions
But…….
When advisor self-perceptions are biased, the climate for growth is minimized, leaving room for microaggressions to develop and harm the advising relationship

3. Purpose of this presentation
deconstruct microaggressions
inform advisors about their harmful interactions
articulate advising interventions to build an inclusive advising climate for change using real life advising case scenarios designed to stimulate positive climate change

4. Definition
Microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to a target group (Sue & Sue, 2008). They occur in three forms: (a)microassults, (b) microinsults, and (c) microinvalidations
They are extremely damaging because they impair classroom performance and workplace productivity by creating emotional turmoil and depleting psychological resources for multicultural and multiracial persons and other groups (Sue, 2005)

5. Microassault
Explicit racial derogation characterized primarily by an action or a verbal or nonverbal attack meant to hurt the intended victim through name-calling, avoidant behavior, or purposeful, discriminatory and conscious actions. Often seen as “old fashioned” racism (Sue, Nadal, Capidilupo,Lin, Torino, & Rivera, 2007)
Refusing to serve an African American person in a restaurant, showing a Ku Klux Klan hood or a hanging noose. Use of the “N” word.

6. Microinsult
Characterized by communications that conveys rudeness and insensitivity and demean a person’s racial heritage or identity
As an advisor, “For someone who is a first generation Latino student, you have done so well with your English courses.”

7. Microinvalidation
Characterized by communications that exclude, negate, or nullify the psychological thoughts, feelings, or experiential reality of a person of color
As an advisor, “I do not care about the color of your skin. I am an advocate for you and I can help you to achieve your goals.”

8. Deconstructing Microaggressions
Awareness of advising cultural communication
Recognize your own power & privilege
Reduce power structures on campus
Challenge institutional culture that sustains microaggression

9. Interventions for Advisors
Identify microaggressive oral and written communication
Discuss ways to handle such communication in your office with advising colleagues and administrators
Be proactive to review policy statements, website language, and other written communication
Advocate for social justice in advising

10. What suggestions have you to Enhance Advising Interactions?

11. References
Huffington Post .(June 9, 2015) Universities Are Trying To Teach Faculty How To Spot Microaggressions Solorzano, D., Ceja, M., & Yosso, T. (2000, Winter). Critical race theory, racial microaggressions, and campus racial climate: The experiences of African American college students. Journal of Negro Education, 69,60–73. Sue, D. W. (2005). Racism and the conspiracy of silence. Counseling Psychologist, 33, 100–114. Sue, D.W., & M.G. Constantine. (2007). Perceptions of racial microaggressions among black supervisees in cross-racial dyads. Journal of Counseling Psychology, 54(2), Sue, Capodilupo, Torino, Bicceri, Hoder, Nadal, & Esquilin, (2007). Racial Microaggressions in Everyday Life Implications for Clinical Practice. American Psychologist, 62,4, 271–286.

12. Contact Information
Dr. Doris Wright Carroll
Annie Hoekman