Studying, Race, Space, and Agency in Higher Education: A Black Placemaking Approach to Understanding Campus Communities (Poster 24)

• In Event: AERA Poster Session Thursday 5:25 p.m.
  In Poster Session: Resisting Marginalization: Narratives of Black Student Persistence and Empowerment Across Educational Spaces

Abstract

This qualitative case study explores how Black undergraduate students at a predominantly white institution (PWI) navigate campus life and build community amidst systemic racism, the COVID-19 pandemic, and social unrest. Utilizing a Black placemaking framework, the study examines the dynamic processes through which Black students create and sustain intellectual, physical, and communal spaces. Findings highlight the resilience and agency of Black students in fostering a thriving community despite being a numerical minority. This research underscores the importance of community-driven approaches in remedying educational inequities and advancing just education renewal, aligning with the conference theme of "Research, Remedy, and Repair: Toward Just Education Renewal."

Author

• Tré Watkins, University of San Diego