| This study is an investigation of the retention, attrition and persistence issues relative to African American Female Doctoral Students (AAFDS) at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs). The aim of this study was to understand the under representation of AAFDS at The University of Akron as a PWI. For purposes of this study six AAFDS from the College of Education at The University of Akron were selected: two who had completed their doctoral studies at The University of Akron at the onset of the study, one whose degree was conferred during the course of this study and three who are currently matriculating.;In a qualitative format using narrative case study, interviews were conducted with five of the six participants of this study at various locations. These included on campus sites, in their homes, offices, and local coffee shops. Each participant was interviewed for three hours. The sixth participant in this study is the researcher, whose own autobiographical narrative is included. The themes that emerged from the narratives were analyzed, compared and contrasted with the researched findings in literature on retention, attrition, persistence, cultural synchronization and feminism.;It was posited that one possible explanation for the under-representation of AAFDS was the limited educational achievement in African American families. It was also posited that the under-representation of AAFDS was due to the fact that PWIs are alienating or less than hospitable environments. It was posited that in PWIs there is a devaluing of culturally relevant research and contributions of African American people and an atmosphere of intimidation in the classroom towards assertive behavior by AAFDS.;Based on the narrative interviews of all six participants in this study, there appears to be a definite relationship between the lack of multi-generation educational achievement in the families of AAFDS in this study and their desire or motivation to pursue a post-baccalaureate degree. But the thesis that the under-representation of AAFDS is due to the limited educational achievement in African American families cannot be confirmed. The narratives of the AAFDS in this study reveal that in fact the impetus for their personal pursuit of a doctoral degree was the paucity in the number African American people who, hold doctoral degrees.;A farther finding, based on the narrative interviews of the AAFDS in this study, confirms the thesis that The College of Education at The University of Akron is an inhospitable environment. In their narratives each of the AAFDS described encounters with White faculty, staff and students who hold negative stereotypical images, of African American women, a general devaluing of culturally relevant research and contributions of African American scholars, and virtual exclusion or negative depictions of African American people in the curriculum. This, combined with a lack of collegial interaction with certain white faculty and an atmosphere of intimidation towards any AAFDS who exhibit assertive behaviors, confirms the thesis that under-representation of AAFDS is due to the fact that PWIs are alienating or less than hospitable environments. |
