Creating a Sense of Belonging
As a student leader in Intercultural Programs (ICP), Kailie Grinder ’16 sought to create spaces where all students, including people of color and international students, felt a sense of belonging. She has returned to campus to direct ICP — an organization open to all students — drawing on her doctoral research in intercultural studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. “God used my journey of learning to advocate for others to deepen my passion to empower and encourage those who stand in the margins,” she says. “This calling, grounded in my own story of being multiracial, multiethnic and multicultural, led to a variety of vocations in education, ministry and the marketplace.”
After studying art as well as economics and business at Westmont, she served as an inner-city elementary school teacher, executive pastor, researcher and emissary with two sending organizations that equipped families for deployment around the globe.
Her doctorate examines the experience of third-culture kids (TCKs), who grow up away from their parents’ home country, to understand how a mix of cultures shaped them and how mentors can help them live confi dently between different worlds.
“I wanted to bridge the gaps I saw in previous TCK studies while communicating a vital message of hope that they can enjoy amazing gifts from living in between cultures,” she says. “TCKs worldwide courageously shared their stories and affi rmed this message of hope amidst the crucibles they navigated. I’m thankful my dissertation went beyond theory and led to tangible applications that help strengthen
the care of TCKs within families and institutions.”
Kailie appreciates the quality of her Westmont education and the lifelong friendships she developed. But she struggled to be accepted by her Christian peers. “God has impressed upon me the importance of building people up to be ALL of who they are so they can confidently walk into whatever calling he places on their lives,” she says. “I intend to keep this goal in mind, starting with my ICP student leaders.”
These students have developed a vision statement: “We boldly empower our communities in such a way that we’re known for our compassionate and resilient pursuit of unity in diversity.”