Responding to Racial Battle Fatigue in Graduate Courses: Introducing Racial Affinity Groups

Educational leadership faculty from a predominantly White midwestern university sought to im- prove the learning experience for graduate students of color. Racial affinity groups were intro- duced as an instructional method. Students in several graduate courses participated in racial affinity groups for one semester. Survey results showed psychological and physiological benefits of processing and discussing content through racial affinity. Using racial affinity groups as an instructional practice in graduate courses can lead to less fatigue among students of color.