Improving higher education attainment among African American women (original) (raw)

Dissertation supervised by Gretchen Givens Generett, PhD African American women enroll and persist in post-secondary education at higher rates than African American males, yet there is little research on the factors that contribute to their disproportionate college persistence in comparison with their White female counterparts. While this study reviewed critical theories that detail the educational challenges for African American female students, the study also interviewed women who experienced success in higher education attainment. This combined review illustrates strategies that break patterns that impede African American women's efforts and based on the findings suggest approaches to improve higher education attainment. v DEDICATION To my Mom who had always encouraged my educational endeavors, despite her father's belief that women did not need to be educated. vi ACKNOWLEDGEMENT First and foremost I would like to thank my God for through him all things are possible. Whenever I needed strength I only needed to bow my head. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisor Dr. Gretchen Givens Generett for her unwavering support, guidance, and vast knowledge. Even though she was young enough to be my daughter I grew immensely under her tutelage. I could not have a better advisor and chair. I would like to thank my committee members Dr. FitzGerald and Dr. Griggs for the seeds you planted in my development. Dr. Fitz for pushing me to hone my writing skills; Dr. Griggs for supporting my research and for all the sister-friend talks that provided comfort and warmth along the road less traveled. I would like to thank Dr. Gary Dean my Master's program advisor, because every time I would think "Now why should I get a doctoral degree?" I would reflect on him saying you need this degree so people will know, that you know, what you know. I would like to thank my family because they were my cheerleaders and they claimed this degree from the moment I started (calling me Dr. Knox). I thank my friends whose shoulders I stood on and whose encouragement was constant. I feel like this was not a ME thing, this was a WE thing. Finally, I would like to thank my daughter and my grandchildren who shared me with my academics. Your love liberates my spirit and gives me energy. vii