Higher Education Series: Sociocultural Influences

Globalization has strengthened the complex network of mutually interdependent systems.  This had led to an accelerated rate of change in society, culture, and education with electronic communications, scientific discoveries, and advanced technology.  Learning is not dependent on rote memorization, but involves fluid, communicative exchanges and spontaneous utterances.  Therefore, it is incumbent upon higher education institutions (HEI)  to meet the exigencies of contemporary society with strategic measures that optimize organizational effectiveness towards a shared vision, defined goals, core values, and long-term success despite global crises.  Crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic could be the catalyst for an acute paradigm shift away from traditional learning towards new instructional methods, as well as the insistence upon positive mental health initiatives, and campus security.  Eradicating unintended biases, prejudices, and micro-aggressions is critical for academic communities.  Therefore, developing intercultural competency is a vital component to understanding sociocultural, socioeconomic, and sociolinguistic variability inherent to pluralistic communities.  This could be achieved with effective communication, professional development, continual educational opportunities, mentoring, interactive workshops, and cultural sensitivity training, which may increase the cultural intelligence, or cultural quotient (CQ). 

HEIs must properly address equity, heterogeneity, and inclusivity while recognizing the intrinsic value of group demographic diversity as a resource rather than as a deficiency, which may be difficult in the Information Age.  The dynamic system is based on the continual consumption, recontextualization, and reformulation of information streams.  This information is often rapidly diffused across various communication channels and social media platforms. Effectively applying inductive and deductive reasoning increases the ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information objectively.  Objectivity based on empirical evidence is the antithesis to irrational tendencies, egocentric behavior, and ethnocentrism. Ethnocentrism is the tendency to situate one’s racial, ethnic, or cultural group at the center of personal observations of the world, which informs identity, thought processes, and perspectives. Furthermore, HEIs guided by a philosophy of continual improvement, creative-criticality, and divergent thinking may positively affect the academic community and stakeholders. Building strategies to enhance performance and institutional cohesiveness could stimulate reform that impacts policy implementation, equitable practices, and innovative initiatives. 

Author: Jewel K. Goode. Global Communications Specialist, Writer, Art Curator, Photographer

Sources upon request.