Women of Color have a variety of experiences within academia, many of which are marred by the interstices of racism, classism, sexism, and the hetero patriarchy that upholds the structure of white supremacy in higher education (Gay, 2004; Pena, 2022). However, there is a legacy of Women of Color who have created and continue to create collectives…

Americans pursue college degrees with hopes that this achievement will open doors and create opportunities for life- and family-sustaining, professional employment. But due to systemic barriers, institutionalized racism and intentional denial and exclusion of women of color, many would-be graduates are still denied access to a college degree…

This phenomenological study explored the lived experiences and leadership of women cadet officers at a senior military college, as well their recommendations for aspiring women cadet leaders. The research used purposeful sampling based on inclusion criteria, and all participants were junior or senior cadet women who held an officer position in the…

The study of gender identity is becoming increasingly important to the field of higher education as younger generations of students enter their undergraduate programs. "As the number of college students identifying as transgender," gender nonconforming, or another gender identity, increases, "so too does the need to understand their…

Purpose: All-women's higher education institutions serve the goal of offering a highly marginalized population a safe space to learn, mature, grow and develop physically, emotionally and intellectually. What might seem to be an obvious criticism is that a woman can, theoretically, achieve the same in a co-ed institution. Arguably, the scale of…

In this study, Social Cognitive Career Theory (SCCT; Lent, Brown, & Hackett, 1994; 2000) was the theoretical framework to understand Black Women college students' career development process that included cultural (person and contextual factors). Due to Black Women embodying two historically oppressed and marginalized identities (gender and…

This doctoral dissertation documents the experiences of women (student and faculty) in computer science programs. The research emerges from the literature on the gender gap in computing and video gaming. Thus, the author seeks to find the meaning that participants have granted to their experiences as undergraduate students and faculty, in a…

Experiences of Black women in college are often lost in conversations about college students. Although underrepresented students are highly researched, the focus is usually on Black males and White females. This research identifies the obstacles encountered by Black women at predominately white institutions on their pursuit of a college degree,…

The Latinx population has significantly transformed the demography of the United States and its institutions of higher education. Yet, despite the increase of Latinx students obtaining their bachelor's degrees (U.S. Census 2021) and having one of the highest college enrollment rates, Latinxs have the lowest college attainment (Ayala and Chalupa…

This qualitative study focuses on the experiences of Women of Color in doctoral programs to highlight the challenges they face, the silences they encounter, and the navigational tools they utilize to persist through their programs. Women of Color continue to be marginalized in academia and face many challenges when earning graduate degrees…

While significant advancements in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) are at the forefront of society, there continues to be a considerable gender and racial gap in the advancement of women of color in these fields (Espinosa, 2011; Ong et al., 2011; Shein, 2018). Low completion rates are even greater when looking at Black and…

Research Focus: Most of the current research focusing on Latinas succeeding academically has been conducted at the undergraduate and master's level. The purpose of this study was to gain an understanding of the experience of Latinas in their doctoral program and what leads them to complete a doctoral degree. Latinas currently have low completion…

Women continue to be underrepresented within the STEM field. This qualitative, narrative, research student explores the expectations and experiences of women enrolled in a STEM program during their second year. Focusing on understanding their relationships with academic advising, faculty, and peers of all genders. Semi-structured interviews were…

The campus climate of predominantly White institutions (PWIs) is often saturated by norms and traditions that are deeply rooted in oppression and exclusivity. The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide context and share counter storytelling of Black female students who successfully navigated these campus spaces and places, and shared…

Diversity initiatives must include the voices and influence of more individuals of marginalized identities (Honor Culture, 2020). Previous research initiatives have proven that Women of Color in higher education STEM programs experience frequent prejudice against their race, gender, and culture. This doctoral study explores the phenomenology of…