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Inclusive Care
Inclusive Care is a holistic approach to higher education that prioritizes creating an environment where every student, regardless of their background, abilities, or learning needs, feels valued and supported. It involves adopting teaching practices and strategies that recognize and accommodate the diverse needs of all students, ensuring equitable access to learning opportunities and fostering a sense of belonging for everyone in the classroom. Through experiential learning, ongoing reflection, and community collaboration, Pabulum empowers educators to develop and implement inclusive practices that enhance student engagement, achievement, and well-being.
Maria
Maria Rodriguez is the first in her family to attend college, coming from a low-income Hispanic background. While her family is proud, Maria faces anxiety about her new environment and the challenges of limited financial resources. She worries about affording tuition, textbooks, and other expenses. Additionally, she feels underprepared for university coursework due to her high school’s lack of resources.
To succeed, Maria needs inclusive care from professors, staff, and peers, which includes financial aid, a sense of belonging, and a supportive learning environment. Inclusive care in higher education fosters equitable access, culturally responsive pedagogy, specialized support services, and mental health support. When Maria received this support in her freshman year, she maintained a high GPA, chose a science major, and looked forward to her sophomore year.
Maria’s story highlights the importance of inclusive care for marginalized students, including students of color, LGBTQ+ students, students with disabilities, and non-traditional students. Professors can adopt practices that foster an equitable learning environment, such as educating themselves in diversity and inclusion, creating inclusive curricula, and implementing Universal Design for Learning. Pabulum provides the research and practices needed to enhance equitable teaching methods, benefiting the entire academic community.