Roadmap To Success: Perspectives Of Black Females Overcoming Barriers In Doctoral Programs At Predominantly White Institutions (Pwis) And Historically Black Colleges And Universities (Hbcus) In Southeast Texas

Author

• Jenta’ Monique Young, Prairie View A&M University

Date of Award

12-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Discipline

Education Leadership

Abstract

This study employed a qualitative research design to explore the experiences of 10 Black female doctoral students as they matriculated and successfully graduated from doctoral programs at Predominantly White Institutions (PWIs) and a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in Southeast Texas. A descriptive phenomenological research methodology was employed in this study to illustrate the struggles and barriers Black females face during matriculation and their persistence in achieving success in a doctoral program. The participants were women who self-identified as Black or African American. Participants were previously enrolled full-time in a cohort-oriented doctoral program with face-to-face, online, or hybrid instruction methods.

The goals of this study were to provide a roadmap for Black female doctoral students’ perseverance and persistence in a doctoral program and to offer insight and validation that the lived experiences of Black women are significant and relevant. Two theoretical frameworks guided the research: Tinto's (1993) Stages of Graduate Persistence and Black Feminist Thought (BFT). Stages of Graduate Persistence highlighted the barriers that hindered successful progression (persistence), while BFT examined characteristics displayed by Black females to succeed, a roadmap to success.

This descriptive phenomenological study aimed to understand how Black females overcome barriers to succeed in doctoral programs while balancing family and career responsibilities. The participants were selected through purposeful sampling. The guiding question for this study was: What support systems do Black female doctoral students attribute to their success while pursuing a doctoral degree at a PWI and an HBCU?

The primary data collection source for this study was open-ended, face-to-face interviews with semi-structured questions. Three major themes emerged from the data: (1) Support Systems and Success, with a subtheme of Family/Cohort members; (2) External Factors and Persistence, with a subtheme of Psychological/Financial Stress; and (3) Spiritual Beliefs, with a subtheme of God/Faith.

Keywords: Black female doctoral students, Black female doctoral matriculation, Black Feminist Thought, Black female doctoral students and PWIs, Black female doctoral students and HBCUs

Committee Chair/Advisor

Patricia Hoffman-Miller

Committee Member

Pamela Barber-Freeman

Committee Member

Douglas Hermond

Committee Member

Abdul Pitre

Publisher

Prairie View A&M University

Rights

Date of Digitization

6/15/2026

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Young, J. (2025). Roadmap To Success: Perspectives Of Black Females Overcoming Barriers In Doctoral Programs At Predominantly White Institutions (Pwis) And Historically Black Colleges And Universities (Hbcus) In Southeast Texas. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-dissertations/138