Date of Award
5-11-2025
Date Published
June 2025
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Department
Higher Education
Advisor(s)
Dawn Johnson
Keywords
Black;gender;HBCU;race;sexuality;universities
Subject Categories
Education | Higher Education
Abstract
This dissertation is a qualitative study of how Black individuals with marginalized gender and sexuality identities (MGSIs) who currently attend or recently graduated from HBCUs make meaning of their campus environment, and how HBCUs can be more inclusive for them. Data from this study came from interviews with seven participants representing four public and two private HBCUs from the Middle Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States in the year 2022. The dissertation explains research on the significance of HBCUs and the students who attend these institutions. Black Feminist Theory, Black Trans Feminism, Queer Theory, Quare Theory and Intersectionality were used as theoretical frameworks to understand and analyze student experiences and the implications of the research (Bey, 2022; Collins, 1986; Johnson, 2001; Nicolazzo, 2016). Findings showed that students’ identity development was ongoing and enhanced in the HBCU environment. Findings showed the significance of inclusive students, faculty, and staff and the power university leadership had in contributing to students’ experiences. In addition, findings surfaced some university areas that operated with normative gendered and heterosexist foundations.
Access
Open Access
Recommended Citation
Amazan, Gaelle, "A PRISM OF BLACKNESS AT HISTORICALLY BLACK INSTITUTIONS: EXPERIENCES OF HBCU STUDENTS WITH MARGINALIZED RACIAL, GENDER, AND SEXUALITY IDENTITIES" (2025). Dissertations - ALL. 2118.
https://surface.syr.edu/etd/2118
