Date of Award
Spring 5-2025
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
Department
Education: Curriculum and Teaching
Abstract
This qualitative research study explores the lived experiences and sense of belonging of college students who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) at urban higher education institutions. Using Meyer’s minority stress model, Crenshaw’s intersectionality theory, and Strayhorn’s belonging framework, the study investigates how students’ intersecting identities shape their college experiences. Through an instrumental case study design, the research focuses on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by BIPOC LGBTQIA+ students, particularly the role of co-curricular engagement and institutional agents in fostering belonging. Eleven individual interviews and two focus groups were conducted to amplify the voices of participants and gain insights into how their identities influenced their college experiences.
The findings reveal that while students were motivated by familial expectations, career goals, and aspirations for social mobility, they faced significant obstacles such as financial and language barriers, COVID-19 disruptions, and the challenges of balancing multiple responsibilities. Their experiences of belonging were often complicated by their intersectional identities, with race, gender, and sexual orientation contributing to feelings of isolation and imposter syndrome. Despite support from institutional agents and co-curricular engagement, many participants, especially non-binary, trans individuals, encountered challenges related to lack of representation, misgendering, and exclusion. These findings underscore the need for more inclusive practices and active listening from faculty and staff to better support these underrepresented student populations, while offering recommendations to enhance inclusivity and belonging in higher education.
Recommended Citation
Bassknight, Kayla M., "UNDERSTANDING THE LIVED EXPERIENCES AND SENSE OF BELONGING OF BIPOC LGBTQIA+ COLLEGE STUDENTS AT URBAN INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION" (2025). CUNY Academic Works.
https://academicworks.cuny.edu/hc_sas_etds/1293
