Black Women's Literary Mixtape: Our Self-Defined Experiences of Student Success

The literature addressing Black undergraduate women's student success is growing yet remains limited in definition of success. Often outcomes-data drives the definition of success and what a successful collegiate experience looks like. This research study, grounded in Black Feminist Thought, and the Conceptual Model of Black Women College Student Success, uses sista circle methodology to explore how 3rd and 4th-year Black college women at predominantly Black institutions (PBIs) in the southeastern region of the U.S. self-define success from an anti-deficit lens, what lived experiences they describe as successful, and what they attribute to their success. Findings from the study indicate that success is not limited to outcomes-based data, but is self-defined as holistic, multifaceted, achievements, and fulfillment. The study adds to the growing literature about Black undergraduate women and student success. This research may inform the institutional support programs for Black undergraduate women and college preparation programs that focus on the holistic enrichment and success of Black girls and Black women.

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy

Level thesis:degree_level

doctoral

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Higher Education

Department dc:contributor.department

Higher Education

Grantor dc:publisher

Virginia Tech

Year dc:date.issued

2025

Author dc:creator

• Johnson, Whitley Monet

Chair dc:contributor.committeechair

• Adams, Sharrika Devae Davis

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Faulkner, Brandy S.
• Baldwin, Andrea N.
• Lane, Tonisha B.

• Black college women
• student success
• predominantly Black institution (PBI)
• anti-deficit
• sista circles

Statement dc:rights

• In Copyright

Licence dc:rights.uri

• http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

Language dc:language.iso

en

Dc Identifier Other

vt_gsexam:44424

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:vtechworks.lib.vt.edu:10919/137554