The purpose of this narrative inquiry study was to explore the stories and experiences of openly gay Latino males who serve as mid-level administrators in higher education. This study focused on narrative stories of personal and historical context of the participants' intersecting identities that have implications for their daily interactions in…

This qualitative research utilized the descriptive case study approach to examine the lived experiences of twelve 1.5- or 2.0-generation Hmong American women who occupy leadership positions in public schools (K-12) and colleges (community colleges, state colleges, and universities) in California. It delved into their gendered, racial,…

Perspectives from educators and students elucidate how systemic language discrimination and oppression (i.e., linguicism) are perpetuated in the New York education system, even though it has one of the most comprehensive approaches to supporting multilingual students in the nation (Sugarman, 2016). The legacy of teaching English as a colonizing…

This dissertation is comprised of two separate manuscripts, which coalesce on the topic of interventions for Black students in educational settings. In the first chapter, I provide an overview of existing interventions that have been applied in different academic environments, particularly as they pertain to Black students in PK-12 and college…

The purpose of this descriptive multiple case study was to examine the recruitment process of Black student-athletes in revenue generating sports who have chosen to compete for a White head coach and a predominately White institution. This study aimed to provide common themes among Black student-athletes in relation to who and what influenced…

The purpose of this action research study was to gain an understanding of the learning experiences and outcomes of 12 undergraduates enrolled in Creative Dance, a general education choreography course, in Fall 2019 and the teaching strategies and practices that guided their learning. Research questions that guided this study were: what does…

This qualitative study seeks to make meaning of the lived experiences of Black women administrators serving in senior housing officer (SHO) roles at predominantly White institutions (PWIs.) This study will highlight the intersection of participants' racial and gender identities to understand how their identities contributed to their experiences as…

Many young undocumented students are experiencing mental health issues in K-12 schools. Researchers have found a myriad of psychological stressors that add to the complexity of being an undocumented student in the United States. Educators have noted an increased concern in undocumented students expressing concerns of fears at school, acculturation…

Four of the eight Engineering Standards in the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS, 2013) focus on authentic science communication: "asking questions (science) and defining problems (engineering), analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations (for science) and designing solutions (for engineering), engaging in argument from…

The purpose of my study was to use an intersectional lens to understand the relationship between race and gender and institutional experiences in student retention at a selective predominantly White institution. I used Tinto's (1993) longitudinal model of institutional departure as the foundation to understand students' decision-making processes…

This research study explored minority teachers' experiences in their teacher preparation programs after 1 to 5 years of teaching. The researcher examined whether these preparatory programs prepared novice teachers to teach in an urban, under-resourced school. The researcher's goal was to give novice elementary teachers who identify as minority a…

The overrepresentation of Black students in special education, particularly in the most restrictive educational placements, is well documented in the literature. In addition, Black students are disproportionately placed into far more segregated educational spaces than their same-aged White peers with similar dis/ability labels. With limited…

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…

Alumni of selective graduate programs, such as those from top business and law schools, have high lifetime earnings and are overrepresented in influential positions in society. Given limitations in nationally representative datasets, many existing studies of graduate school enrollment in the literature focus only on the United States and collapse…

The United States is becoming more ethnically, linguistically, and social-economically diverse, yet opportunity gaps have persisted between White students and students of color; therefore, educational practitioners must find ways to meet and respectfully evolve their practices to support all students, but more particularly students of color who…