The Human Side of Impact: Valuing Diverse Voices in Education
What does it mean to do things with someone, not for someone? "With" is the dance of shared intent, the co-creation of purpose, mutual discovery, and give and take. "With" means listening with both head and heart; it’s having your perspectives broadened and, on occasion, having your mind beautifully changed. "With" represents mutual respect, trust, and the power of a collective journey.
I had a powerful moment of “with” over the weekend when I finalized an article submission with my friend and colleague, @sahibzada mayed (???????? ????). Our topic: The not-so-silent gap in student-centered change due to institutional failures to encourage and facilitate collaboration between today’s students and higher education decision-makers. (Heady stuff, I know.)
Despite our 30-year difference, I learned and grew through every conversation. I loved how much we both brought to the table—our unique experiences and perspectives merging to create something more profound than what either of us could have achieved alone.
Working "with" mayed reminded me of the importance of intergenerational dialogue and the immense value it holds. The experience underscored the truth that collaboration is not about age or hierarchy but about recognizing and valuing the contributions each person can bring. In higher education, fostering this kind of "with" relationship between students and decision-makers can bridge divides. So why don’t we do more of it?
In the article, we argue that much of the issue comes down to measurement. Conventional metrics of impact cannot capture the full picture. In our work, we often encounter an innate attachment to quantification—retention rates, student enrollment numbers, and graduation and career placement rates. I recall conversations where people were thrilled just to track these numbers by equity populations. Unfortunately, this mainly served to highlight how few changes have occurred over the past decade to close those gaps.
The subjective nature of diverse, individual experiences, while difficult to quantify, is often delegitimized or neglected. These experiences are not as easily measured, but they are equally important, if not more so. Recognizing and valuing these qualitative aspects is crucial for creating a truly inclusive and effective education system.
Now the “how” of mayed and I coming together to write the article was a result of serendipity meeting a well-constructed foundation of trust. Here’s the thing though—trust cannot be rushed; it is cultivated through shared experiences and open communication. It's a process that requires a commitment to genuine engagement—on both sides of our identity-rich aisles. In our article, we argue that the real measure of impact should include qualitative aspects such as the quality of relationships, the depth of engagement, and the extent to which all voices are genuinely heard and valued. These aspects, though challenging to quantify, are crucial for creating an inclusive and empowering environments.
By shifting our focus from purely quantitative metrics to a more holistic approach that values the richness of individual experiences, we can better understand and address the needs of our academic communities. Again, I know, I know—this goes against the very nature of quantifying transformation efforts—but consider this: the most profound changes often happen in the spaces between data points, in the stories, and in the lived experiences that numbers alone can’t capture. ?mayed and I demonstrated that when this kind of environment is nurtured, the outcomes are profoundly impactful. Our collaboration not only enriched my understanding but also strengthened my resolve to continue advocating for the elevation and amplification of student voice.
Now we enter the black hole that is double-blind submissions. I’m curious how the piece will be received—there’s so much we left on the table, so much still to explore. I, for one, am excited to see where this journey takes us. Working with you, mayed, has been a beautiful experience, and I look forward to whatever comes next! Stay tuned…
#HigherEducation #ImpactMeasurement #StudentVoice #kinship
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