Doctoral Dissertations

Date of Award

5-1995

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Major

Education

Major Professor

E. Grady Bogue

Committee Members

Carol Kasworm, Michael K. Smith, William Lyons

Abstract

This study provided insight into the experiences of African American women students at a predominantly White University. In order to understand the meaning that Black women students attached to their collegiate experiences a qualitative methodology was employed. Participants were 10 traditional age juniors and seniors. Each participant took part in two individual interviews and one focus group interview. In initial interviews, participants reflected on their expectations of what college would be like. Initial expectations of participants centered on: (a) finding friends and fitting in; (b) finding and being welcomed into a Black community at the university; and (c) the opportunity to get an education. Some experiences of the participants in this study were atypical of the traditional experience. First, these participants were faced with the challenges of finding a community of Blackness with which to affiliate. When they found the Black community at Heritage unorganized and inactive, participants were pushed to form their own communities within the residence hall system. These communities provided participants with a sense of affiliation while providing a forum for expression and validation for their own ideas, culture and experiences. Secondly, academic support programs were integral to the success of the participants. Programs for the benefit of all students, such as the Writing Center of Tutorial Laboratories, assisted several of the participants in their academic endeavors. Additionally, the majority of the participants benefitted repeatedly from programs and services specifically for minority students. Perhaps the most disturbing finding of this study is the realization that all of the participants had experiences tainted by racism and sexism. The campus climate proved to be an environment permeated with conflict. The women in this study realized early in their collegiate career that the University was still a haven for questionable policies and practices that involve disparities in the treatment of minorities on campus. Last, the participants had made an effort to develop their understanding of themselves and others. While most participants found that their voices had little impact on changing the culture of Heritage University, most felt they had survived and flourished in a culture very different from their own.

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