Most research on Student Affairs practices is centered around student engagement and support; however, this qualitative study focuses on the Student Affairs professionals who support college students. Specifically, this dissertation focuses on the intersectionality of race and religion and how these Student Affairs professionals are able to engage…

Catholic schools are founded upon distinctive values; they shape school leaders' leadership approaches, which in turn influence the school community experienced by students. Yet, research is sparse where leaders' intentions intersect with the actual community. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to examine how school leaders' approaches…

The role of the Black religious and spiritual life leader in higher education is to bring together social, political, spiritual, and educational leaders to help move an institution and the country forward (Faison, 2017). Forster-Smith (2013) compiled an exploration of religious and spiritual life leaders in American higher education. While it was…

This critical autoethnographic dissertation delves into the personal journey of a Black female counselor and mother, whose path meanders through the complex terrain of education, leading her to a profound transition into the realm of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging (DEIB) leadership. Drawing from memories, emotions, and ongoing…

Muslim women are portrayed with a dichotomous image: on one side, as the victims of the patriarchal Muslim men and, on the other, as the violent associates of the Muslim terrorist (Maruoka, 2008). The act of head covering, the most visible Muslim-identified marker, has thus assumed an outsized space in research of Muslim women. However, while…

Counselor educators need to effectively address intersecting identities within counselor education programs, including religion and spirituality (RS). Polls have shown that the majority of United States citizens ascribe to religious or spiritual beliefs (Gallup, 2017; Pew Research Center, 2014) and counseling research has expanded to address these…

This dissertation is a call to action for the American community college educator to create and carry out a commitment to civic interfaith leadership. The community college educator as civic interfaith leader can and should examine and revise existing curricular and co-curricular resources--especially world religions courses and student…

Many Black women choose community colleges for their post-secondary education; however, issues of retention and persistence prevail, and many do not graduate. This study examines Black women graduates from two Mid-Atlantic community colleges who are community college completers from two institutions that historically suffered with low graduation…

This dissertation explores the identity development of Muslim American women (N = 25) in higher education, utilizing intersectionality as both a methodological and theoretical framework. First and foremost, it centers the lived experiences, agency, and autonomy of Muslim women throughout the findings. Second, it takes into account the intersecting…