Date of Award
12-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Executive Leadership
First Supervisor
Dr. Angela Clark-Taylor
Second Supervisor
Dr. Christine Brown-Richards
Abstract
This qualitative transcendental phenomenological study explored the lived experiences of Black female college student-athletes at Division III predominantly White institutions (PWIs). Although Title IX and NCAA reforms expanded access to athletics, Black female student athletes continued to face unique challenges related to race, gender, and representation. These athletes often struggled with social isolation, microaggressions, and a lack of institutional and cultural support, which affected both academic performance and athletic participation. The study applied the theoretical framework of intersectionality to analyze how overlapping identities shaped these women’s experiences and contributed to broader patterns of marginalization in higher education and intercollegiate athletics. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with current Black female college student-athletes attending Division III PWIs. Findings revealed the barriers to persistence, the coping mechanisms and support systems utilized, and the strategies these athletes developed to thrive in challenging environments. The results indicate that centering the voices of black female college student-athletes provides critical insight into how institutions can improve recruitment, retention, and overall student-athlete support.
This study contributes to the broader conversation on equity, representation, and social justice in collegiate sports and higher education. The findings of this study revealed three central themes that captured the essence of participants lived experiences: Being the Only One - Racial Isolation and Representation, Sense of Belonging, and Two Identities - Student & Athlete. Future research should replicate this study with a larger, more diverse sample of Black female student athletes across all NCAA divisions to examine how institutional culture, athletic expectations, and resources shape their experiences differently.
Recommended Citation
Dunham, Jazmin, "Running the Race Twice as Hard: A Phenomenological Study on the Academic and Athletic Experiences of Black Female College Student-Athletes at Predominantly White Institutions (PWI)" (2025). Education Doctoral. Paper 638.
https://fisherpub.sjf.edu/education_etd/638
Please note that the Recommended Citation provides general citation information and may not be appropriate for your discipline. To receive help in creating a citation based on your discipline, please visit http://libguides.sjfc.edu/citations.