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Abstract

After identifying a number of academic centers with "Race" in their names at American colleges and universities in the United States, we sought to explore the efficacy and impact these centers have on their respective campus communities and beyond. The goal of this qualitative exploratory research was to better understand the nature of these race-oriented academic centers and the relationship they have with their host institutions. From a combination of website review, oral interview and online survey data, the study found that these American race-based academic centers and institutes contribute to our overall knowledge in several ways, including how they provide opportunities to conduct research, impact curriculum and expand the programming platform in ways not easily afforded under the traditional departmental structures of the academy. However, because these centers are relatively new to the landscape of higher education, they appear to wrestle with identity formation. Perhaps academic institutions that do not currently have such centers and institutes will use this study to help them make the decision to establish one and the ones that already have them will better understand how to leverage the value they bring to their institutions.

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