Acknowledging the Resilience, Determination, and Perseverance of First-Generation African American Women Seeking Their Ph.D. at Predominantly White Institutions: A Critical Qualitative Study

Abstract

Acknowledging the resilience, determination, and perseverance of first-generation African American women (AAW) seeking their Ph.D. at predominantly White institutions (PWIs) indicates the need for change, such as providing equitable guidance and mentoring to increase advancement toward degree attainment. My and other AAW’s experiences, as well as our current positionality, illuminate, in particular, the need for change in African American representation and first-generational leadership in PWI spaces. This qualitative study was an exploration of the academic journeys of three first-generation AAWs at PWIs, myself included. The study focused on the need to manifest self-empowerment through resilience, determination, and perseverance in every space of our doctoral journeys, indicating the barriers faced by first-generation AAW pursuing and completing a Ph.D. This study showed the conflicting priorities that influence the doctoral socialization process of first-generation AAW Ph.D. candidates in the All But Dissertation (ABD) phase and ultimately influence their time to degree completion. Up to 60% of all doctoral candidates fail to complete their dissertations. However, skewed data have resulted from placing all AAW into one category, regardless of whether they are first-generation or have U.S. citizenship. Linked with Black feminist methodology, I proposed a new theory, the Again But Determined phenomenal experiences of AAW. I used a critical race theory perspective to examine my experiences and those of two other first-generation AAW who pursued a Ph.D. at a PWI. This study addressed our past academic journeys toward success. The passion that went into this research mirrors the passion that first-generation AAW put into themselves.