An Assessment of Multicultural Competence

This study assessed multicultural experiences and competency levels of graduate students in college student personnel (CSP) preparation programs, student affairs staff serving as internship supervisors, and diversity educators. A total of 131 students, staff, and diversity educators from four campuses in two geographical regions within the United States completed several assessments regarding multicultural competence.Respondents in all three groups rated themselves highest for multicultural awareness and lowest on multicultural knowledge. Significant differences by group and by race were observed in respondents’ levels of multicultural competence: student affairs staff members scored significantly higher than did CSP students, and diversity educators scored the highest. Students of color scored significantly higher on this measure than did the White students and the staff members.