Abstract:
Although higher education institutions recognize various ethnic identities, the Arab
identity and the sub-identities within continue to receive little to no recognition. In addition to
lack of recognition, the media and society continue to associate the Arab identity with a negative
stigma. Consequently, our Arab students are not feeling as supported as they should. The
purpose of this study is to understand the Arab-American experience in public, four-year higher
education institutions in California. 25 volunteers participated in a survey which gathered
information on their experience as an Arab at their campus. In addition to the surveys, the
existence of clubs and organizations related to the Arab identity was examined in these higher
education institutions.