From Baccalaureate to Professoriate: Voices of Black Women From Within the Academy

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

The opening of Oberlin ushered the first significant presence of Black women in the academy. Considering their low position in society, certain events shaped their existence in the realm of higher education. According to Rusher (1996), “the early beginnings of education for Black women were highly dependent upon the educational opportunity for Black men and White women” (p. 16). While the contributions of Black women in higher education are numerous, the recognition of these women has been minimal at best. This symposium provides a forum for original research on the experiences of Black women in the academy from baccalaureate to professoriate, as existing literature that focuses on Black or women students rarely acknowledges the distinct experiences of Black women alone.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Research Focus on Black Education

Chair

• Lori D. Patton, Indiana University

Papers

• Black Undergraduate Women: The New Model Minority - Lori D. Patton, Indiana University; Chayla Haynes, University of Northern Colorado

• Black Graduate Women With Faculty Aspirations - Lori D. Patton, Indiana University; Nicole Michelle Joseph, University of Denver

• The Sistah Network: Black Women Graduate Students Supporting and Retaining Each Other - Nicole Michelle Joseph, University of Denver; Evette L. Allen, University of Denver

• From Associate to Full: The Role of Micro- and Macroaggressions in the Process of Promotion for Black Women - Natasha N. Croom, Iowa State University

Discussant

• Shaun R. Harper, University of Pennsylvania