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Author ORCID Identifier
N/A
AccessType
Open Access Dissertation
Document Type
dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Degree Program
Education
Year Degree Awarded
2018
Month Degree Awarded
May
First Advisor
Gretchen B. Rossman
Second Advisor
Benita J. Barnes
Third Advisor
Joya Misra
Subject Categories
Higher Education
Abstract
Success in the doctoral context has traditionally been measured by persistence. However, solely equating doctoral persistence with success overlooks salient academic experiences that may address how to assist different students in successfully negotiating and navigating the emotionally complex and complicated terrain of graduate school (Gardner, 2009). Sense of Belonging provides an expanded lens through which to view student success in the doctoral context. This qualitative study explores Black/African American women doctoral student’s perceptions of their Sense of Belonging and how it impacts their academic experience during the dissertation phase. A narrative approach using semi structured interviews was used. Data collection involved a one-phase semi-structured interview protocol, supplemented with journal memos and participant portraits. Findings demonstrate that Sense of Belonging as experienced by these doctoral students is complex and often impacted by multiple layers of the institution including the discipline, department, lab, cohort and faculty advisor; each one of these are increasingly more salient for students during the dissertation phase. The need for doctoral programs to create a more engaging and nurturing environment which is inclusive of diverse and traditionally underrepresented students remains a priority
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/11944220.0
Recommended Citation
Durand, Sabrina, "BEYOND ACCESS: SENSE OF BELONGING OF BLACK/AFRICAN AMERICAN WOMEN WRITING TO COMPLETE THE Ph.D" (2018). Doctoral Dissertations. 1234.
https://doi.org/10.7275/11944220.0
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/dissertations_2/1234