In education, disproportionality, often used interchangeably with overrepresentation, is defined as, "the high probability of being placed in special education, based on membership in a historically marginalized group" (Oswald, Coutinho, Best, & Singh, 1999). Research findings have identified root causes of disproportionality as a…

This research implements and evaluates the effectiveness of three scaffolds: critical theories in classes, critical friends groups to discuss white identity, dominant ideologies, anti-racist practices and diverse field based experiences. These scaffolds provided white pre-service teachers the opportunity to reconcile how their identities influence…

This dissertation was designed to discover the dispositions, perceptions, and integration processes for Culturally Aware Pedagogical Practices of a primary school teacher, counselor, and principal in a Midwest suburban school district. The school researched has historically had little to no diversity; however, considering increased national unrest…

The role a school and its teachers play in a child's life is undeniable. Both influence how children understand the world they live in, their place in that world, and their perceptions of future possibilities. Schools where students have opportunities to engage with multicultural curriculum materials, experience culturally responsive and…

In summer 2021, as exams could not take place, GCSE, AS and A level grades in England were awarded by teachers, in accordance with relatively broad official guidance. This guidance stressed that grades had to be based on evidence of candidate work, though what this was, how much was needed or where/when it should come from were not tightly…

Few studies address the lived experiences of transgender and gender nonconforming (TGNC) students in engineering. Grounded in critical trans politics (Spade, 2015), this dissertation contributes to the literature on TGNC students in engineering by examining their experiences negotiating their identities while navigating interrelated systems of…

The campus climate of predominantly White institutions (PWIs) is often saturated by norms and traditions that are deeply rooted in oppression and exclusivity. The purpose of this qualitative study was to provide context and share counter storytelling of Black female students who successfully navigated these campus spaces and places, and shared…

Young adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) continue to struggle with community engagement despite decades of research and policy initiatives addressing postsecondary transition. Evidence shows that persons with IDD are engaging in employment, postsecondary education, independent living, socialization, and other roles at…

Current research has suggested that college student-athletes are at an increased risk for experiencing mental illness but utilize mental health support services at a lower rate than the general college student population. Stigma toward mental illness has been identified as a factor that can influence student-athletes' decision to utilize mental…

The purpose of this study was to plan for, design, and launch the initial development phase of an affordable course materials initiative within the library at one Texas private four-year university. More specifically, the focus of the study centered on providing interested, volunteering academic faculty with the tools, resources, and expertise…

The purpose of this study was to investigate if a two-prong stereotype threat intervention strategy would impact placement scores of students of color. Students of color are largely enrolled in developmental education courses at a greater rate than other students (78% and 75%, respectively). Students of color are also more susceptible to the…

Cyberbullying is the use of digital communication tools and spaces to inflict physical, mental, or emotional distress. This serious form of aggression is frequently targeted at, but not limited to, vulnerable populations. A common problem when creating machine learning models to identify cyberbullying is the availability of accurately annotated,…

Research shows that, despite the population growth rate of Latino/Hispanic communities across the U.S., they remain largely under-represented in professional and leadership roles across the country (Cruz & Blancero, 2016, p. 500). This underrepresentation is compounded when intersected with the gender wage gap. A study conducted by the…

There are large differences in expulsions and suspensions on the basis of race starting in preschool and divergent explanations for their cause. The current study explores how developmental methodology can shed light on this vexing issue. We leverage two measures: (1) childcare provider complaints about children's behavior and their recommended…

Diversity initiatives must include the voices and influence of more individuals of marginalized identities (Honor Culture, 2020). Previous research initiatives have proven that Women of Color in higher education STEM programs experience frequent prejudice against their race, gender, and culture. This doctoral study explores the phenomenology of…