Using Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems Theory (BEST) and intersectionality, this mixed methods study explored the complex experiences of Black men who face racial and gender-based challenges in a racially systemic employment arena, particularly those with a prior history of incarceration (PHI). The researcher interviewed Black men with PHI…

This dissertation examines the landmark case Larry P. v. Riles and its impact on addressing the disproportionality and overrepresentation of Black and/or African American students in special education within California. Despite the court's ruling, which prohibited the use of IQ tests for Black students for special education placement due to…

Some products are not designed with people of color in mind. As more products are created with the implementation of technology, it is important that they are designed for the population at large including Black Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) populations. User Experience Design (UXD) is the process employed by designers to create products…

This quantitative research study will explore how educators perceive culturally responsive School-Wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports' (SWPBIS) impact on racial disparities in school discipline. At the time of this study, the literature on the effectiveness of culturally responsive SWPBIS in terms of racial disparity was mixed.…

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative study was to describe the personal experiences of Latina women who excelled in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) despite challenges amidst overlapping systems of discrimination. This study highlights the experiences of 10 Latina women who have attained or were in…

Background: Considerable research has examined how stress is associated with college drinking, but limited theory-driven published reports examine whether these effects generalize to Latino/a/x students. Although Latino/a/x students typically make up a small percentage of students at predominantly White institutions (PWIs; e.g., 6-8%),…

This dissertation traces the way hair is framed in judicial texts about dress code policy in the U.S. between 1969 and 2023. Using 46 court cases from district, appellate, state supreme, and federal supreme courts, the study first considers how dress code is brought to courts over these 54 years, and the kinds of legal claims made in these cases.…

African American adolescent suicidality has become more prevalent, and urban school counselors are positioned uniquely to intervene. This research studied the overarching societal factors in the sociocultural, economic, and political spheres that influence increased suicidality behaviors in African American adolescents from the perspective of…

This phenomenological study sought to explore the racialized educational experiences of graduate students of color (GSOC) seeking degrees in humanities disciplines. While some research studies have focused on minority graduate student experiences, there has been less focus on minority graduate student experiences in the humanities. Utilizing…

Research suggests individuals' support for harsher sanctions for wrongdoers increase in association with the perceived severity of the harm caused. To date, however, research has focused mostly on retributive modes of punishment and has less often addressed restorative sanctions. Furthermore, research has documented racial disparities in conduct…

This research explored the lived experiences of Black girls in schools with a focus on racial discrimination and the impact it has on their mental health. Grounded in Black feminist thought and phenomenological variant of ecological systems theory (PVEST), this study used qualitative research to understand the lived experiences of Black girls.…

Guided Pathways is a systemic reform movement focused on increasing community college completion rates and student achievement (Bailey et al., 2015b). Within the California community college (CCC) System, every college is implementing Guided Pathways, and the California Community College Chancellor's Office (CCCCO) continues to use this framework…

Despite the significance of mentorship programs, there are few existing accounts of experiences regarding mentorship from counseling graduate students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, especially as it relates to access and personal and professional development. Such accounts are vital in understanding barriers that impede…

The perception of race and how it affects hiring capabilities of minority educational administrators directly affects the quality of leadership within the educational system. So much so, that there can be a negative impact on the ability of the system to recruit, foster, and nurture its brightest and best leaders. Having negative views on the…

Children in the United States live in a highly racialized society and, as a result, acquire an awareness of race at an early age, eventually developing an understanding of racism (Quintana, 2008). Understanding race and racism is especially relevant for Black children, given their marginalized status in the U.S. and the likelihood that they will…