Education Commons^™

Intersectionality as a framework has garnered much attention in law, sociology, and education research, and conversations surrounding the framework and its utility now span the globe. Intersectionality addresses the junction of identities, and how the intersectional nature of identities, together, shape the lived experiences of individuals (Hancock, 2007) because of interlocking systems of oppression and marginalization often associated with those identities. In this special issue, “Informing Higher Education Policy and Practice Through Intersectionality,” the authors build upon Crenshaw’s (1989) articulation of intersectionality to frame their work, seeking to improve U.S. higher education.

Research exploring the college experiences of African American women at predominantly White institutions (PWI) continues to be a necessity as African American women graduate at lower rates than their racial/ethnic peers. This qualitative study explored the influence historically Black sororities had on the college experiences of African American women at a PWI using an intersectional social capital framework. The study revealed that the women, as Black women, positioned themselves lower than others in terms of social status; they joined historically Black sororities because of family, role models, and mentors; and, building community, academic pressure, and high standards were fostered through …

The value of a liberal arts education is evident. Yet valuing a liberal arts education at the expense of a technical or specialized education is problematic. This theoretical article offers an argument for shifting the discourse of valuing a liberal arts education to valuing all forms of postsecondary education. In doing this, the authors highlight historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and community colleges (CCs) as “urban educators,” stakeholders, partners, and beneficiaries of the proposed neo-educational argument. The article closes with practical recommendations for establishing partnerships between HBCUs and CCs.