Date of Award

8-2021

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy

Department

Counselor Education and Counseling Psychology

First Advisor

Dr. Glinda Rawls

Second Advisor

Dr. Alan Hovestadt

Third Advisor

Dr. Bridget Weller

Keywords

African American male, counselor education, faculty, social cognitive career theory, career development

Abstract

Much of the existing literature on African American faculty in counselor education and supervision programs focuses on the challenges that confront them as racial minorities (Bradley & Holcomb-McCoy, 2004; Holcomb-McCoy & Addison-Bradley, 2005; Thompson, 2008; Turner & Myers, 2000). Findings from recent research studies have offered ways to support and guide African American faculty in combating racial discrimination and oppression within the academy (Jones-Boyd, 2016; Robinson, 2018). However, there are gaps in the literature about the personal and environmental factors that shape African Americans’ decisions to pursue the professoriate in counselor education and supervision, and factors that contribute to their persistence. Notably absent from existing literature is African American male representation and voice (Branch, 2018; Brooks & Steen, 2010; Dollarhide et al., 2018; Hannon et al., 2019). The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to explore the lived experiences of African American male faculty in counselor education and the factors that influenced their career development. More specifically, this study sought to explore three things: (1) How facets of social cognitive career theory (SCCT) (i.e., self-efficacy beliefs, outcome expectations, and personal goals) influence African American males’ decision to pursue a tenure-track faculty position in counselor education? (2) How African American males describe their experience as faculty members in counselor education programs? and (3) What experiences prepare African American males to navigate barriers/challenges in pursuit of a tenure-track faculty position in counselor education? Semi-structured interviews with eight African American male counselor education faculty members revealed six emerging themes that captured their experiences: (1) Education: The Pathway to Opportunity, (2) “One Thing Led to Another…,” (3) “I Believe in You,” (4) Outsider Within, (5) “I Got Your Back,” and (6) Taking a Stand. Implications for institutions and counselor education programs are offered, and suggestions for future research are given.

Access Setting

Dissertation-Open Access

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