ABSTRACT

This inquiry investigates how college recruiters’ understandings of diversity are represented and discussed in their work. Interwoven within this study is an examination of power through the lens of Discourse Theory and Critical Discourse Analysis. Findings reveal how recruiters exercise power to produce either transformative or oppressive realities and futures for those whom they deemed to be diverse prospective students. The analysis also demonstrates the ways in which discursive uses of language and power can privilege certain diverse identities over others, thereby limiting equitable access to postsecondary education. This article concludes by highlighting recruitment strategies that will empower prospective students through the admissions process in order to help them learn ‘the secret knock’ to gain access to higher education.

摘要

该调查调查了大学招聘人员在工作中如何表现和讨论多元化。在这项研究中交织在一起的是通过话语理论和批判性话语分析对权力进行的检验。调查结果揭示了招聘人员如何行使权力为他们认为是不同的潜在学生的人们创造变革性或压迫性的现实和未来。分析还表明，语言和权力的话语使用可以使某些不同的身份优先于其他身份，从而限制了接受中等教育的公平机会。本文通过重点介绍招聘策略，这些策略将使准学生在录取过程中获得能力，以帮助他们学习“秘密敲门”以获取高等教育。