Menstruation is a global public health issue with negative discourses of shame, embarrassment, and disgust. There is growing anecdotal evidence linking negative menstruation experiences at school to absenteeism. This systematic review and line-of-argument synthesis aims to develop a conceptual understanding of menstruation experiences in schools…

Studying abroad acts as investment in human capital and ideally outweighs associated investment costs due to higher earnings or related non-monetary benefits. We estimate monetary returns to studying abroad for female graduates 1 and 5 years after graduation. The empirical estimates--based on panel data from four graduate cohorts in 1997, 2001,…

The U.S. Latino population has surpassed 62 million and is projected to represent close to 29% of the entire U. S. population by 2060. Despite being the fastest-growing ethnic group in the United States, Latinos hold the fewest college degrees compared to their peers. Current research illustrates that to address the lag in rates of degree…

The problem of sexual violence on college campuses is a substantial one. While statistics vary on the prevalence of campus sexual assault (CSA), the evidence suggests an epidemic level of sexual violence in the United States' colleges and universities. For women of traditional college age (18-25), experts estimate 20-25% of women will be sexually…

Considering the significant contributions of Black women social workers to our profession, and the unyielding stressors and expectations disproportionately affecting Black women in the context of Black Lives Matter and COVID-19, addressing anti-Blackness and understanding the lived experiences of Black women within higher education are essential…

Student ratings of instruction are used to elicit formative feedback to help improve teaching quality, however, due to their subjective nature they are vulnerable to implicit bias. In particular, gender bias, as framed by role congruity theory, has the potential to negatively impact female instructors more than their male counterparts. Changing…

Leadership development is a broadly discussed topic in industries across the globe. In education, administrative leadership has been explored at length, as has student leadership development. What is yet to be understood are the nuanced perspectives of leadership development for different student identities. This study explores women's student…

"Aya: The Enduring Spirit of Black Women in Higher Education" is a research study that sought out to better understand the experiences of Black women inside of higher education. Building off of two previous unpublished research studies that focused on the resources that enable Black women to stay in their programs, this study took a more…

This dissertation explores the impact of student organizations on the persistence of women in STEM programs at the associate degree level. The findings reveal that participation in SkillsUSA provides students with valuable opportunities for hands-on learning, skill development, and career exploration, all of which contribute to the persistence of…

No existing literature centers Black women college students (BWCS) who are targeted yet absent the discourse on anti-black incidents at the intersection of gender. Using a 42-case database, we highlight how BWCS are targeted with hate, discuss gender-based racial trauma fueled by these incidents, and share recommendations for higher education.

Women face unique challenges in pursuing a doctorate, with potential barriers including Imposter Phenomenon (IP) and Multidimensional Perfectionism (MP). Intersectionality can intensify these feelings for Women of Color. Additionally, societal and organizational barriers hinder women's advancement to leadership roles, perpetuating stereotypes and…

This study explores the intricate narratives and experiences of Black women navigating the landscape of post-secondary business education. Drawing from Black feminist theory, this research aims to shed light on the nuanced challenges and triumphs faced by Black women within the confines of business education. Employing qualitative methods,…

Feminist theories have broadly delved into the discourse surrounding bodies (Grosz, Elizabeth. 1994. "Volatile Bodies: Toward a Corporeal Feminism." Bloomington: Indiana University Press). Their contributions have subverted the idea that bodies are merely passive matter, opening up new ways of conceptualizing the world in corporeal…

This dissertation is an exploration of leader identity development and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) college academic classrooms. While there continues to be research promoting diversity in STEM professions, women remain underrepresented in STEM disciplines, leadership positions, and for this specific study, the…

This study examined the lived experiences of Black girls at a Predominantly White Independent School (PWIS). Semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Black, female graduates of Arlington Hall, a private school in the Piedmont area of North Carolina. Transcripts were analyzed using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to…