The Influence of Student-Faculty Racial/Ethnic Match: Facilitating Possible Selves and Identities Among Black, Indigenous, and People of Color Undergraduates

• In Event: Black and Latinx Educational Futures: Possibilities and Pathways

Abstract

Despite increased access to education, the graduation rates of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) students continue to lag behind their enrollment rate. Research indicates that having a professor of the same race/ethnicity positively relates to BIPOC graduation rates. This qualitative study uses focus groups to examine how student-faculty racial/ethnic match affects BIPOC students’ possible selves and identities, which may affect persistence. The findings reveal similarities and differences between racial/ethnic matched and nonmatched students in facilitating BIPOC students' belief in their future possibilities and racial/ethnic identity development.

Authors

• Daniel Garcia, University of California - Irvine
  Presenting Author

• Brittany Stovall, California State University - Northridge
  Presenting Author

• Paloma Cabral, California State University - Northridge
  Presenting Author

• Gabriela Chavira, California State University - Northridge
  Presenting Author