Date of Award
Spring 5-15-2026
Degree Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy
Department
Education Leadership, Management and Policy
Advisor
Randall Clemens, Ph.D.
Committee Member
David Reid, Ed.D.
Committee Member
Hillary Morgan, Ph.D.
Keywords
Black parents, college choice, racial socialization, affordability, institutional support.
Abstract
For many Black families, choosing a college is far more than a senior-year decision; it is a multi-year journey shaped by hope, strategy, and an acute awareness of the racial realities their children may encounter. This study explores how Black parents navigate the college choice process alongside their children and how racial identity informs their involvement at every stage. Using a qualitative narrative approach, I examined the lived experiences of nine Black parents in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan areas. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, transcribed, and analyzed through Braun and Clarke’s (2019) reflexive thematic analysis to surface patterns across their stories. The findings reveal that Black parents approach college choice as a high-stakes endeavor requiring long-term planning, careful financial calculation, and intentional coordination of resources. Affordability emerged as a central concern, intertwined with efforts to leverage school-based and community support. Parents described striking a deliberate balance between offering guidance and fostering independence, what this study conceptualizes as structured autonomy. Their involvement extended beyond academic preparation to include racial socialization and professionalism coaching, equipping their children to navigate and, when necessary, withstand anticipated bias within college environments. This study underscores the importance of institutional practices that align with the strategies Black families already employ. Culturally responsive transition programs, meaningful mentoring, and professional development for staff in key gatekeeping roles can reduce the burden on students to “translate” themselves in unfamiliar spaces. When colleges and K–12 institutions recognize and partner with the strengths embedded in Black family practices, students are better positioned to move through higher education with confidence and clarity. By centering the voices of Black parents, this study deepens understanding of their role in the college choice process and offers practical guidance for educators committed to advancing equity and student success.
Recommended Citation
Brown, Saskia, "Race and College Choice: How Black Parents Navigate the College Choice Process with Their Children" (2026). Seton Hall University Dissertations and Theses (ETDs). 4476.
https://scholarship.shu.edu/dissertations/4476
