Using narrative inquiry to collect data through interviews and an arts-based approach to present the findings through a narrative film screenplay format, this multimethod qualitative study aimed to expose the reality faced by undocumented students, especially those involved with activism, through tales of resilience and grit. The theories that…

Throughout history, dance has been regarded as an act of rebellion. This art form has persisted to become a means for the common person to demonstrate impassioned objections to issues from racism and religious oppression to communism, plastic waste, and human trafficking. As early as the plantation era, dance has provided a means of physical…

This dissertation investigates the nuanced portrayal of higher education in superhero comic books, particularly the 13 years of publication from 1965 to 1978 when Peter Parker/Spider-Man was an undergraduate at Empire State University. Depictions of higher education and how they can influence perceptions of academia and its intersections with…

Although research has been conducted on the lived experiences of Black student affairs professionals and academic advisors at Historically White Institutions (HWIs), the literature is scant in its representation of the larger body of Black Professional Staff (BPS) and their experiences. BPS are undervalued and disregarded and are a vital part of…

This qualitative descriptive study aimed to explore how faith-based mentors and Black male student mentees from low socioeconomic communities describe their use of social justice principles to engage in social activism in Northern California. Two research questions guided this study. The theoretical foundation for this study was the social justice…

Histories of the American community college have largely overlooked the humanistic education movement of the mid-20th century. This historiographical gap obscures leaders' ideological commitment to their institution's diverse mission during an era of rapid community college expansion. Advocates and critics of community colleges have consequently…

School superintendents make many decisions throughout their careers in an attempt to educate students. Many people, both inside and outside of education try to influence the decisions made by superintendents. Many of these influences are political in nature. This study looks at the history and levels of political influence in education, identifies…

Neoliberalism continues to exacerbate systemic racism and restricts efforts to address racial and social justice issues. Consequently, there has not only been an increase of public concern, but students are constantly driven to organize around their experiences. Asian American students are currently and have historically been one of these…

This interpretive case study used Black Critical Patriotism (Busey & Walker, 2017) as a theoretical framework to make meaning of two Black men secondary social studies teachers' thoughts on American citizenship, the purposes of social studies education, and the extent to which they taught for social justice amid anti-CRT legislation and…

Sit-in protests are occurring more frequently on college campuses and yet are viewed with greater disdain by university administration than more conventional protest actions. This grounded theory research study aims to explain the decision-making process of student activists who participate in a sit-in of a university space. Additionally, the…

This dissertation study explores a voluntary preservice teacher led club, LEARN (pseudonym) focused on urban education. The club meetings varied consisting of approximately 10-15 Preservice Teacher (PST) members each session. Members were predominantly White newcomer and oldcomer participants that met regularly (twice a month) to engage in various…

Environmental education in historically White schools of education has typically emphasized science, outdoor, or STEM education rather than environmental racism, environmental (in)justice, or the environmental justice movement. This focus often deemphasizes the role of structural injustice and state-sanctioned violence in environmental issues as…

Communication activism pedagogy for social justice (CAP) is a relatively new approach to social justice education in the communication discipline. CAP teaches students in the classroom about social justice and then has them engage in social justice communication activism (SJCA), "us[ing] their communication knowledge and resources to work…

Academic libraries are largely comprised of white, middle-aged females, and as part of the overall diversity crisis within higher education, grapple with issues of racism, sexism, heterosexism, classism, and ableism. This mixed-methods study uses an original theoretical framework of critical transcendence, based upon the philosophies of Carl Jung…

This study considered the experiences of graduate sorority women in Black Greek-lettered organizations (BGLOs) with social activism, using contemporary examples like Black Lives Matter as a lens. BGLOs exist as part of the fraternity and sorority framework at predominantly White institutions (PWIs). These organizations provide networking,…