April 30, 2026
- Belonging Among Immigrant Students Of Color At A Predominantly White Suburban High School In Massachusetts: A Phenomenological Study
- Time: 2:00 PM
- Location: Zoom Link
- Description: ABSTRACT This qualitative study explored how immigrant students of Color make meaning of their sense of belonging and non-belonging in a predominantly White suburban high school in Massachusetts. As suburban districts become increasingly racially and culturally diverse, they often continue to operate within institutional norms shaped by Whiteness and meritocracy, which can obscure the distinct racialized and migratory experiences of immigrant youth. While existing research has examined students of Color in predominantly White educational spaces, fewer studies center immigrant students of Color in suburban contexts or attend to their meaning making processes. Guided by a front-loaded phenomenological approach, this study examined how immigrant students of Color interpret their high school experiences with particular attention to peer relationships, educator interactions, school climate, opportunities for voice and agency, and the influence of racial, cultural, and migration histories on identity development and self-advocacy.
- Related Web Site: Dissertation defense: Terri-Anne Bynoe
- Contact Information:
Rashmi Sharma
Phone: (309) 298-1690
Email: r-sharma@wiu.edu - Source: College of Education and Human Services
