Experiences of Immigrant Black Female Faculty in the American Professoriate

• In Event: Experiencing Race in the Schoolhouse: Unpacking the Intersectional Classroom Experience

Abstract

African immigrant women faculty in US institutions of higher-learning encounter peculiar challenges in their professional practice especially because they sit at the intersectional “triple bind” of being females, immigrants, and people of color. In this study, we sought to investigate the specific cognitive processing behind students, and faculty perception and expectations of this category of scholars as they navigate US professoriate. Using a narrative analysis approach, we capitalized on the life histories, and experiences of eight African women faculty members in institutions across the US to offer new insights into this group’s roles, difficulties, and triumphs. Findings revealed that, our participants challenges include labor-market discrimination, discounting of academic work and credentials, unfair evaluation, cultural taxation, and lack of supportive environment.

Authors

• Lilian Naa Obiorkor Tetteh, Texas Tech University
  Presenting Author

• Amani Zaier, Texas Tech University
  Presenting Author

• Faith Maina, Texas Tech University
  Presenting Author