Belonging, a crucial aspect of humanity and justice, is negated by racism. Formal analyses have shown that racial and ethnic minorities experience significantly higher rates of racial discrimination, with the greatest disparity being among Blacks. Incidences of racism toward healthcare professionals of color indicate that comprehensive and…

Beemyn, Curtis, Davis, and Tubbs (2005) found that research solely about the experiences of transgender students is sparse, but existing research demonstrates transgender students face higher rates of harassment, discrimination and marginalization than their cisgender peers. In fact, Rankin, Weber, Blumenfeld, and Frazer (2010) reported that…

The purpose of this study was to examine the college experiences (academic, athletic, and social) of two groups of Black female college athletes at a Division I historically Black college and /university (HBCU). Utilizing sense of belonging theory, the current study explored how Black female college athletes navigate their experiences and manage…

Increasing pieces evidence suggest that learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their families experience limiting challenges in their transition at different developmental and academic levels in life. It is not clear, however, what the specific challenges that limit their successful transition are, despite parents' and teachers' efforts…

For decades, research has shown the pervasive racism of teacher education and its harmful impact on teacher candidates of Color. In this conceptual article, we argue that teacher education programs must interrogate how racism is embedded structurally through policies and practices that guide the various facets of the institution. We build from…

Volunteerism in the undergraduate years can be a predictor highly correlated with remarkable increase in social integrity, civic-mindedness, (Astin & Sax, 1998; Eyler & Giles, 1999; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2005; Vogelgesang & Astin, 2000; Cruce & Moore, 2007, 2012; Johnson, 2014; Plante & Halman, 2016), continued…

The experiences of Black womyn collegians (BWC) at predominately White campuses (PWC) is one of isolation, lack of support, and combating oppressive incidents regularly (Commodore, Baker, & Arroyo, 2018; Porter, 2013). Along with the challenges of being a BWC on campus and in society, there is lack of formal safe spaces for BWC to unpack and…

Some campuses are exemplars for best practices for racial inclusion in higher education, and they offer a vital opportunity to understand how to better include Black students. This critical life story analysis of Black college alumnae who graduate from a historically Black, women's institution, Spelman College, demonstrates the importance of…

Community colleges are a vital source of students in the STEM career pipeline. Yet, research indicates that rather than diversifying the STEM workforce, community colleges may be perpetuating gender imbalances. This qualitative phenomenological study was designed to examine differences in male and female experiences in two male-dominated community…

The purpose of this qualitative descriptive study was to explore how African American males describe their academic experiences regarding the factors that influence their academic outcomes while attending an HBCU across the United States. Astin (1993) Inputs-Environment-Outcomes (I-E-O) theoretical model was used as the lens for understanding what…

In this manuscript, I discuss the experiences of African American male scholars at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) in the American South and the impact of their academic and social experiences on their respective campuses. Furthermore, I discuss their utilization of code-switching or a lack thereof as a tool to navigate their…

Student satisfaction is both an important and yet controversial issue within the higher education sector, which is typically measured through policy-driven metrics such as the National Student Survey. However, less is understood about the qualities of a satisfying student experience 'as lived' from the perspective of the student, thus questioning…

This case study examines how students navigate transfer from a community college to a four-year institution through the context of a transfer seminar course. Research has shown that these courses can be relevant support for students in their first semester post-transfer. Yet, no research has qualitatively examined student adjustment through a…

My dissertation "Choice and Inequality in Higher Education" describes the way seemingly benign choices predict course and campus experiences and can perpetuate inequality. I draw on literatures of capital, habitus, identity development, and gender status beliefs and contribute to literature on stratification and sociology of education. I…

Higher education may once again be at a crossroad with the racial climate in the United States and what that means for college campuses. Consequently, institutions of higher education must commit to ensuring a supportive organizational structure for the social and psychosocial wellbeing of Black students and guaranteeing support resources for the…