Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Date

2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education

Department

Higher & Adult Education

Committee Chair

Edith Gnanadass

Committee Member

Ladrica Menson-Furr

Committee Member

Susan Nordstrom

Abstract

Despite obtaining leadership positions in higher education, Black women are not freed from the pressures that accompany their societal status. The adoption of code-switching as a communication strategy is not a new practice for Black women, but one that impacts their ascension within the ivory tower. Current literature neglects to focus on how Black women’s intersectionality informs their code-switching practices and their leadership journey. This study addressed this gap by melding storytelling, theory, and art to describe the code-switching narratives of Black women leaders and answer the following research questions: 1. What are the code-switching narratives of Black women leaders in higher education?  a. How did they learn about code-switching?  b. How did code-switching impact their journey to leadership positions?  c. What internal conflicts do they experience when code-switching?  2. How are they upholding or dismantling the oppressive structures that lead marginalized communities to code-switch?  a. What narratives have they created about other Black women in the workplace who practice or reject code-switching?  Drawing on endarkened narrative inquiry and comic-based research, this study used illustrations to bring the storytellers’ narratives to life. Within the comics, the following findings were illuminated: •Code-switching is transgenerational and has roots in the Black church. •Black women face multifaceted challenges in higher education that shape their communication practices. •Code-switching results in judgment, exhaustion, and stress. Higher education institutions can use this study to tailor diversity and inclusion efforts to improve Black women’s experiences and well-being within the academy. Furthermore, this work can inspire Black women to move towards authenticity as an act of liberation.

Comments

Data is provided by the student.”

Library Comment

Dissertation or thesis originally submitted to ProQuest.

Notes

Open Access

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