Date of Award

Fall 12-15-2025

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Dr. Santiago Castiello-Gutierrez, Ph.D

Committee Member

Dr. Michael Altamirano, Ph.D

Committee Member

Dr. Demond Hargrove, Ph.D

Keywords

Black males, MBA, graduate management education, consortium, resilience

Abstract

This study aimed to explore the educational, cultural, and personal challenges faced by Black males in MBA programs and to identify factors that aid their persistence in completing their degrees. The research design employed a qualitative approach to narrative inquiry as its methodology, using one-on-one semi-structured interviews. The study used resilience theory as its theoretical framework, approaching it from both an academic and psychological perspective. Respondents were recruited from the top 50 MBA programs in the United States according to the 2023 edition of U.S News and World Report (2024). There were a total of 15 African American respondents who took part in this qualitative survey, 11 current MBA students and four alumni students. There was one research question and three sub-questions, totaling four. Research question 1a asked what challenges do African Americans face? The results produced four themes: managing racial identity and mental health, stereotypes and microaggressions, balancing academic, family, and social life, financial pressures and cost of an mba, limited representation and mentors, and networking and recruiting biases. Research question 1b asked what factors contribute to the academic success and persistence of African American males pursuing an MBA degree, including but not limited to academic resilience. Themes derived from this question were personal resilience, support systems, financial resources, representation, and institutional culture. Research question 1c asked what specific resources do African American males leverage to help support them during their MBA program? Four themes emerged, which were structured programs and organizations, peer network and community support, mentorship and alumni support, and faculty and institutional resources. Based on these findings, the researcher created a psychological resilience pathway model explaining how Black males achieve resilience within challenging academic environments. This research fills a critical gap in business education literature by highlighting the intersection of race, resilience, and graduate student experience. It challenges business schools to reimagine their support structures, not only to recruit but to retain and empower underrepresented students. The paper concludes with implications for practice and policy, including strategies for building culturally affirming learning environments and enhancing access to mentorship and financial aid. Recommendations for future research include comparing Black males in top-tier MBA programs in the United States versus those in top-tier MBA programs internationally, and exploring how underrepresented students who are Consortium/MLT versus non-Consortium/MLT fare in MBA programs.

Keywords: Black males, MBA, graduate management education, consortium, resilience

Download

Available for download on Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Share

COinS