Respect the Hustle: A Conceptual Framework to Support Black Female Students Throughout Their Doctoral Journey

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 11
  In Roundtable Session: Challenges and Opportunities in Diversity and Equity in Doctoral Education

Abstract

For Black females in higher education institutions, navigating the graduate school journey searching for a terminal degree is a daunting undertaking. This study examines Black female postgraduate students in academia. As we know it, the research on Black graduate students is limited. Therefore, to investigate Black female graduate students' experiences, we include literature that speaks to the broader collection of graduate students of color. Black female postgraduate students grapple with the Ivory Tower's expectations, which undoubtedly has adverse consequences on their academic performance and create taxing and emotionally isolating experiences (Jackson, 2019). The authors provide a conceptual framework that presents how universities can ensure Black female graduate students' positive experiences.

Authors

• Ashlee B. Daniels, Prairie View A&M University

• Leslie Uchenna Ekpe, Texas Christian University