"But What Did You Expect?" Being a Black Female Student in a Predominately White University

• In Event: Roundtable Session 6
  In Roundtable Session: Microaggressions Across College and University Contexts

Abstract

This qualitative research study examines the narratives of 30 Black female undergraduate students attending an elite, predominately white university, to ascertain how they make sense of the unique challenges and supports they encounter as Black women, and how their sense-making informs their prospects for academic success and socio-emotional well-being. I show that the women report perceptions that as Black women they are uniquely isolated from academic resources and social interactions which results in constrained opportunities to be academically and personally excellent. This research highlights the need for researchers to further investigate how the policies, practices, and climates of educational institutions Black women specifically as a unique population.

Authors

• Alaina Neal, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

• Natalie Renee Davis, University of Michigan - Ann Arbor