Caste-based discrimination persists as a formidable barrier within Indian higher education, compelling Dalit students to employ university spaces not only for learning but as arenas for activism and social change. This dissertation explores the agency of Dalit students as they confront and dismantle systemic inequalities through strategic…

The current study explored the experiences of graduate students and trainees who have been diagnosed with specific learning disabilities (SLD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and who are currently enrolled in APA-accredited graduate psychology programs in the United States. More specifically, this study focused on these graduate…

The marginalization of "dis/abled" Black and students of Color is well-documented in the K-12 contexts (Annamma et al., 2013; Artiles, 2013; Artiles et al., 2002; Artiles, & Trent, 1994; Blanchett, 2006). Studies have found that not only do Black and students of Color experience overrepresentation in Special Education but that…

The importance of understanding diversity in higher education is fundamental to minimizing discriminatory practices and behaviors against LGBTQ students by other students and faculty on campuses and in classrooms. The problem addressed by this study was institutes of higher education often mirror and reproduce inequalities through…

College students with disabilities are an overlooked minority population. However, they comprise an ever-increasing student population in postsecondary institutions. Yet students with disabilities do not persist or graduate at rates similar to their able-bodied peers. People with disabilities have historically been viewed as a low-status group and…

Institutions, including collegiate schools of music, tell stories about the ways in which they have transformed to include and support diverse students, but what do students say about their institution? Collegiate music students possess powerful and intimate knowledge, and their stories can reveal the lived reality of their experiences of equity…

The current study utilized a qualitative phenomenological design to explore Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)' experiences related to being victimized in the workplace. Through individual interviews, rich information was collected related to types of workplace bullying behaviors GTAs experienced, factors that encourage and discourage reporting…

Marginalized minorities have encountered difficulty pursuing a college degree which has widened the gap in enrollment and retention rates in higher education. This qualitative study implemented a phenomenological methodology to understand perseverance and degree achievement through the essence of the lived experiences of first-generation Hispanic…

Focus on multiracially-identified college students has continued to gain momentum in contemporary educational research, along with public and academic awareness of this burgeoning population--which has given needed voice to the unique and nuanced experiences and needs central to multiracial students' lives. However, most recent scholarship has…

Higher education in Nigeria is provided by institutions, such as the universities, colleges, and polytechnics in conjunction with the monotechnic (accredited by federal, state, and private institutions specialized in providing instructions on a single scientific or technical subjects, such as agriculture and related disciplines). Supervisory…

Access to higher education is a key determinant of lifetime earnings in the U.S. Since the 1960s, selective public universities have admitted students mostly on the basis of standardized test scores and other measures of academic preparation. In this dissertation, I employ quasi-experimental and structural research designs to investigate the…

Perception of discrimination on religious grounds against minority students at faith-based universities pertaining to leadership of the universities may negatively affect the learning outcome of the students, shape their social relationships with the members of the university community, and create a negatively charged environment. The purpose of…

Latin@ is a minority group that has grown rapidly in the last twenty years in the United States. However, Latin@s have low participation in higher education, placing the group in a disadvantaged position compared with other ethnic groups. Therefore, it is important for the United States to educate and appropriately employ this group. This…

This case study examined the trials and tribulations a predominantly Mexican-American community in South Texas went through to obtain higher education opportunities for its residents. This study focuses on the "LULAC v. Richards" lawsuit and the South Texas Border Initiative. In 1987, the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational…

The purpose of this study was to examine the experiences of lesbian and gay students in higher education with respect to heteronormativity, overt and covert discrimination, and the hidden curriculum that is occurring in higher education. This researcher explored students' perceptions regarding their choices of majors, professors, and…