(2018). Liminal Being: Language, Becoming and Belonging. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, California State University, Long Beach. The present study sought to examine institutional and personal factors that affect the sense of belonging of adult immigrant English-learners in a community college. Specifically, this qualitative study analyzed the lived experiences of twenty-one adult English-learners currently enrolled in a large California community college. Language and Critical Race theory was used a theoretical lens to help understand how language proficiency, instructional policies and practices and social factors affect the extent to which this population feels included and as part of the greater campus community. The study found that proficiency in English was the most salient factor in both enhancing the level of connectedness to campus life and hindrance in accessing linguistic and academic resources. Also, the study revealed that the most effective approach to fostering a greater sense of belonging for adult English-learners was providing high-touch experiences through a robust peer mentorship program…. [Direct]
(2018). University and College Coaches Influences on the Lives of Black College Football Players in the SEC: A Phenomenological Study. ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology. University and college football coaches have long maintained unique relationships with their football players; coaches are mentors, leaders, counselors, and even father figures. For some black men, the decision to play college football rests in the girding and guidance of coaches who not only extend experience and knowledge of the game of football, but also extend knowledge in survival and life lessons. Within the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the black football player is a highly sought-after talent who subscribes to the philosophy of the coaches' vision and leadership style, influence and discipline. Through the illustration of the critical race theory (CRT), which is defined as the study of the relationship among race, racism, and power including economics, history, and group self-interest, and the new instrumentation of the Black Lives Matter Movement, the purpose of this phenomenological study highlights the influences of coaches as mentors in the lives of Black college… [Direct]
(2023). Black Women's Use of Virtual Educator Affinity Groups While Working in Hostile Environments. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Teachers College, Columbia University. The racialized hostile work environments that many Black women educators experience may lead to their departure from the P-12 schools where they work. Studying the experiences of Black women educators provides a distinct pathway for inquiry due to their positioned intersectionality of gender and race and their percentage of representation within the Black teaching workforce in the United States. Hence, the purpose of this study was to explore with a sample of Black women educators how participation in self-sought, virtual, educator race-based affinity groups impacts their learning experiences while working within racialized hostile environments. Using Critical Race Theory–with a focus on intersectionality and counterstorytelling–as a lens, this study employed an explanatory sequential mixed method design. Black women educators who work (or who have worked) in a public Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 12 school (P-12) in the United States, who experienced racial hostility while… [Direct]
(2013). Resisting the Dominant Narrative: The Role of Stories in Latina Educational Success. Journal of the Association of Mexican American Educators, v7 n1 p28-47. This study focuses on how stories influence Latinas' motivation and resiliency toward academic success and how Latina parents support their daughters in resisting racial discrimination. In the spirit of Critical Race Theory, it concludes with a counterstory of hope and possibility about how higher education can create a space for all students to achieve…. [Direct]
(2014). "Westerners," "Chinese," and/or "Us": Exploring the Intersections of Language, Race, Religion, and Immigrantization. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, v45 n1 p54-70 Mar. Based on a four-year ethnography, I draw on critical race theory and Bourdieuian theory of language to analyze why a Chinese Immigrant couple regarded their 1.5-Generation Chinese Canadian leaders at an evangelical Christian church as "Westerners," and how the leaders differentiated themselves from "Westerners" and "Chinese/Immigrants." I argue that language and race intersect in complicated ways to racialize Immigrants and their children differently, and linguistic nationalism as a form of structural racism permeates everyday interactions…. [Direct]
(2016). From Incarceration to Community College to Work: Racial Microaggressions and Reintegration in the Prison-to-School Pipeline. ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, The Claremont Graduate University. As student diversity in higher education continues to encompass myriad groups that include numerous intersecting combinations of backgrounds, higher education actors must be aware of the changing dynamics of the 21st century student. These changes include growing numbers of previously incarcerated and formerly gang-involved students seeking higher education as a way of reintegration. Faculty, staff, and students must learn about the so-called "normative" institutional practices that pose barriers for these college students, as well as discuss the harmful and demeaning effects that racial microaggressions can have. This critical race theory, funds of knowledge, and community cultural wealth study describes the experiences of incarcerated and formerly gang-involved students within higher education institutions, particularly focusing on community colleges. The findings present an alternative foundation for future empirical research and professional practices that serve these… [Direct]
(2022). The Personal Influences That Contribute to the Success of Six African American Female Educational Leaders. ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, Cardinal Stritch University. The purpose of the study was to research the personal influences of African American female education leaders that contributed to their success. The research study explored the intersectionality of race and gender while identifying personal influences of successful African American women leaders. Over centuries African American women have taken on roles in their communities, within their families, and on their jobs. In the 21st century, African American women hold leadership positions across the country and continue to soar in their careers. Despite race and gender bias, African American women acknowledge personal influences that allow them to be successful leaders. "What are the personal influences that are contributors to their success?" Historically White males have dominated leadership roles in the United States (Davis & Maldonado, 2015). However, even in a society plagued by discrimination and racism African American women have been able to advance in their… [Direct]
(2022). The Influence of Immigrant Parents on the College Decisions of Latinx Community College Students. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Kansas State University. Latinx students are pursuing college at historically high rates; however, completion rates for this population are not keeping pace. With these students disproportionately attending community colleges, 2-year college leaders are striving to break down barriers and identify support systems that increase Latinx student success. Two factors found to influence students' academic success are their generational status and participation of parents in their education. Involvement of parents has been linked to improved student academic achievement and motivation, but little research has focused on Latinx parent involvement with community college students. In addition, Latinx immigrants are less likely to have experience with U.S. higher education, but little is known about how this influences their children's college going decisions. This qualitative phenomenological study aimed to provide an understanding of the collective influence of these factors by exploring the role immigrant parents… [Direct]
(2022). Beyond SES and Education Inequity: A Phenomenological Multiple Case Study on Grade School Children and Their Mental and Emotional Disposition, Cognitive Development, and Academic Performance Due to Socioeconomic Status. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Baylor University. In 1968, Paul Freire brought to the world, "Pedagogy of the Oppressed." The way he categorized "the haves and have nots" still resonates with the wealth disparity in the United States. The need to create a level of equity in education by providing equal access was fundamental in his philosophy (Freire, 1968). Similarly, Freire's fundamental philosophy informs this research study today. This phenomenological multiple case study's central focus was to bring about a profound perspective of education disparity in a specific way. Divisions of wealth create educational inequity (Sirin, 2005). The distinction in socioeconomic status (SES) creates wealth, education, opportunity gaps, and creates additional social categorizations (Crenshaw et al., 1995). Education inequity is most often present in poverty-stricken and urban areas (Pollard, 2018). The most significant distinctions of education disparities appear between students from differing economic statuses and access… [Direct]
(2022). Perspectives of Black Parents of Young Adults with High Incidence Disabilities on the Postsecondary Planning Process. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of Georgia. Black parents of young adults with high incidence disabilities provide salient support to their children during and after postsecondary planning processes in high school. These parents serve a vital role concerning their child with high incidence disabilities' postsecondary planning processes. School counselors are well-positioned as social justice advocates to collaborate with Black parents of young adults with high incidence disabilities during the child's high school years. School counselors' work with this population of students needs to be in conjunction with the students' parents and family. Despite these truths, Black parents and their children with high incidence disabilities are invisible to school counselors and continue to be underserved in the area of postsecondary planning. As a result, Black students with high incidence disabilities are more likely to drop out of high school, graduate with an IEP diploma or certificate of attendance, leave high school without a clear,… [Direct]
(2022). Secondary Science Teachers' Sociopolitical Consciousness and Their Conceptions of Science and Science Instruction. ProQuest LLC, Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Connecticut. Science reform efforts over the years have addressed the need to make science engaging and accessible for all learners. These efforts attend to multiple aspects of science teaching and learning, including, but not limited to, more intentional focus on teaching students about the nature of science, as well as increased use of Culturally Relevant Science Teaching. Teachers are thus being asked to lead the charge in facilitating shifts in what is considered science and how science classrooms operate. These shifts require (1) high levels of sociopolitical consciousness, (2) anti-traditional conceptions of science, and (3) critical ideas on how to modify science instruction. The purpose of this dissertation, comprised of three papers, was to investigate teachers' consciousness and conceptions across these three areas. I conducted semi-structured interviews with 20 secondary science teachers from culturally and linguistically diverse districts in the same northeastern state. I drew on… [Direct]
(2018). Diversity in Higher Education: Positive Motivational Factors for African Americans Pursuing Doctoral Degrees to Acquire Tenured Faculty Positions. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The University of Findlay. African Americans make up approximately 6% of full-times faculty members within higher education compared to the student body of African American students being 15.3% of the student population (U.S. Department of Education, 2014; U.S. Department of Education, 2015). This phenomenological research is focused on the positive motivational factors of current African American tenure-track and tenured faculty members at private predominately White Institutions within the Midwest and the potential impact they have on African American students. Limited research has been conducted on this topic with much of the research being narratives of the struggles that African Americans have experienced while obtaining their doctoral degrees and the difficulties that faculty members face during the tenure process. This qualitative study was conducted using semi-structured interviews with four African American tenure-track and tenured female faculty members at private predominately White institutions in… [Direct]
(2018). Armatures for Success: Advancing Racial Equity for Funeral Service Technology Students. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, The University of Mississippi. The purpose of this descriptive, exploratory action research study, using both qualitative and quantitative methods, was to identify students at risk of failure on a post-graduate licensure exam and to develop and implement improvement models to improve exam performance. The participants were alumni of the Funeral Service Technology program at Northwest Mississippi Community College. African American graduates of this vocational course failed at increasingly disparate rates above Caucasian graduates in the National Board licensing examination, despite commensurate post-secondary scholastic achievement. The quantitative research portion of the study statistically analyzed student performance measures in funeral service classes to reveal areas of dissimilar performance divided by race. The focus of the qualitative research portion of the study included interviewing program graduates to reveal perceptions of former students, surveying course documents, and examining learning spaces,… [Direct]
(2021). Autoethnographic Study of Black Scholars' Intergenerational Navigation through the Community Cultural Wealth Perspective. ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Wilmington University (Delaware). The purpose of this study was to investigate the generational transference of community cultural wealth and how this valuable commodity impacts student navigation of higher education, persistence, and attainment through individual experiences, backgrounds, and interactions. Most research on Black student success in higher education reflects the deficit of historically marginalized communities, this study however is coupled with the notion that family and community nurture such a deep sense of value that can only be replenished and never replaced embedding the notion that failure is not an option. This community cultural wealth encompasses the tenets of aspirational, navigational, social, familial, resistance, and linguistical capital breeding empowerment of persistence through the higher education journey regardless of the obstacles and barriers that are routinely positioned to hinder the generational progress of my family who have chosen to excel at all costs. The combination of… [Direct]
(2017). Race, Residential Segregation, and the Death of Democracy: Education and Myth of Postracialism. Democracy & Education, v25 n1 Article 4. Since the 1930s, federal housing policies and individual practices increased the spatial separation of whites and blacks. Practices such as redlining, restrictive covenants, and discrimination in the rental and sale of housing not only led to residential segregation by race but also continue to shape Whiteness and frame narratives about what constitutes Blackness. Despite the judicial and legislative victories of the civil rights movement, including the "Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas" decision, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, residential segregation persists and in many cases has grown. Claims of a postracial society notwithstanding, the continued segregation of Blacks and Whites exacerbates racial wealth inequality, racial achievement gaps, and racial profiling. Using White racial frame and critical race theory, we explain the persistence of residential segregation amid growing ethnic diversity… [Direct]