Date of Conferral
2022
Degree
Doctor of Public Administration (D.P.A)
School
Public Policy and Administration
Advisor
Julian Muhammad
Abstract
There is currently a significant lack of racial diversity in the fields of environmental conservation and emergency management. The purpose of this qualitative study was to identify sustainable recommendations to address the lack of racial diversity amongst members of the AmeriCorps Saint Louis Emergency Response Team (ERT). Trend analysis of the racial makeup of past ERT memberships identified a far less diverse ERT in its earlier cohorts, while illustrating improved racial diversity over the past 10 years. As a result of interviews with ERT administrators, alumni, team leaders, and current members recommendations were identified that aim to sustainably increase African American recruitment, increase African American applicant rates, increase African American membership, improve upon the African American experience, and increase visibility and presence in more diversely populated communities. This study succeeded in identifying and recommending solutions for ERT to use as a means for sustainably increasing racial diversity amongst its members, beginning as early as its next applicant cycle. The positive social change significance of this study is far-reaching in the fields of environmental conservation and emergency management in that it may be repeatedly replicated by service groups similar to ERT as a means for addressing their own racial diversity challenges. Further studies may be necessary in identifying the root cause of why there is such a vast racial disparity in environmental conservation and emergency management.
Recommended Citation
McLemore, Michael, "Improving Racial Diversity in the AmeriCorps Saint Louis Emergency Response Team (ERT)" (2022). Walden Dissertations and Doctoral Studies. 12783.
https://scholarworks.waldenu.edu/dissertations/12783
