How Graduate Students of Color Experience Racial Microaggressions at a Predominantly White Institution: An Explanatory Sequential Study

• In Event: Disrupting Race: Disrupting Race to Establish New Norms

Abstract

Recent events indicate that racism is still prevalent throughout the world; however, not all racial aggressions are blatant or intentional. The purpose of this explanatory-sequential study was to understand the experiences of students of color in an online doctoral program as they related to racial microaggressions. We aimed to share our understandings of these experiences and how students of color respond to these microaggressions. Participants completed the Racial Microaggressions Scale in phase one and participated in semi-structured interviews in phase two. We found that racial microaggressions caused participants to doubt their place in the program, question their sense of self, and alter their participation in class.

Authors

• Laila Y. Sanguras, Baylor University

• Elizabeth Valdez, Baylor University

• CleRenda McGrady

• Jhacole LeGrand-Dunn, Relay Graduate School of Education

• Yady S. King, Vacaville Unified School District