Date of Graduation
Spring 2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Education Policy, Planning, and Administration
Committee Chairperson
Orkideh Mohajeri, Ph.D.
Committee Member
Reva M. Zimmerman, Ph.D. CCC-SLP
Committee Member
Tiffany E. Jones, Ed.D.
Abstract
This qualitative research study explores the lives of Black women STEM faculty at Ivy and Ivy+ institutions. The existing literature reveals a distinct gap in research as it pertains to this demographic, due to the limited number of Black women who hold faculty positions and the limited research that centers their voices. This study intentionally centered the voices of Black women scholars using portraiture, which helped to avoid the creation of deficit‑based stories. Furthermore, this research was guided by the conceptual frameworks of whiteness as smartness and meritocracy. Portraits were created from the lives of six tenured and tenure‑track Black women faculty from various Ivy and Ivy+ institutions. Combined with the methodology, the theoretical frameworks facilitated the creation of three styles of portraits that highlighted the ecosystems surrounding these women, their experiences with whiteness as smartness, and the myth of meritocracy. Through these portraits, the study offers a snapshot of their lives and provides a deeper understanding of the nuanced experiences of Black women faculty in STEM. While the study is limited by its small participant pool, future implications include the need for in-depth research surrounding Black women at R1 institutions that continues to center their voices more intentionally.
Final Version Confirmation
1
Recommended Citation
Mitchell, MyKella C., "Brilliance in the Margins: An Exploration of the Lived Experience of Black Women Faculty in STEM" (2026). West Chester University Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Final Projects. 71.
https://digitalcommons.wcupa.edu/all_capstones/71