Beyond Bothered: Exploring Identity, Stressors, and Challenges of Black Women Ivy Collegians

Abstract

Research exploring the experiences of Black women attending predominantly White institutions in the U.S. is emerging. However, scholarship centering Black women’s experiences within Ivy League institutions remains elusive. This study explores the experiences of six Black women Ivy League collegians and their perceptions about how race, gender, and ethnicity shaped their sense of identity and campus interactions while attending an Ivy League institution. Using Black Feminist Thought as the theoretical framework, findings illustrate salient stressors and challenges while navigating interactions with peers, professors, and other university personnel. This study’s findings broaden our understanding of Black women college student experiences within Ivy League institutions and informs institutions of higher education on strategies to best support them.