Examining Social Capital and Whiteness in a University Community Engagement Network

Abstract

University place-based community engagement initiatives often draw upon diverse stakeholders and organizations. However, these initiatives often uphold systems and structures rooted in Whiteness and oppression. Drawing from Critical Race Theory and social capital theory, this study examined Whiteness, network structure, value, and trust within the Seattle University Youth Initiative (SUYI) Network. The results suggested that the SUYI network had a moderate to high degree of value, where institutional partners were perceived as having significantly more value than nonprofit partners in the network. Additionally, the SUYI network was found to have a high degree of trust, where nonprofits were viewed as slightly more trustworthy than institutions. The discussion examines how Whiteness might influence the relationships and resource sharing across the SUYI Network. The paper concludes with several recommendations for the CCE related to their strategies of building the capacity of systems and individuals, resourcing community partners, and pursuing anti-racist methodologies.