African American faculty experiences in the construction of academic life at a community college

This qualitative study analyzed the perceptions of African American faculty in the construction of their work experiences and interactions with their colleagues and students at a Central Valley community college. Semi-structured interviews of tenured or tenure tracked faculty members were conducted to understand the way in which college professors constructed the work experiences. Three main findings are reported. First, college professors described their work context as a hostile environment characterized by lack of mentoring, racism, minimal diversity, and interactions with colleagues that were perceived as denigrating or demeaning. Second, faculty overcame the adversities of the context by developing a resilient self. Third, factors that motivated persistence involved relationships outside and inside of the work environment. Faculty cited that the support of family and church helped maintain their ability to perform on a campus where they, at times, feel devalued. The faculty also related that their relationships with the students, through instruction and mentoring, were a coping mechanism that motivated them to stay in the college and perform professionally.