Race remains a delicate topic for most Americans today. This concern is evident even in the academic world. Some scholars maintain that learning as a Black individual in America is more challenging than learning as a white individual. Moreover, Black Adjunct faculty members in most higher learning institutions hold that there are few Black Academics in higher education.
Black Academia in America
Even though the government abolished slavery about 150 years ago, there remain many racial stereotypes surrounding African Americans in education, especially women. Studies show that young Black females get discriminated against in schools early compared to white peers. In turn, few Black academics chose careers in higher education.
In an interview, Douglas M. Haynes, a professor of History and African American studies and the vice chancellor for diversity, equity, and inclusion at the University of California, said, “There has never been a golden age for Black faculty in the United States.”
In response to many challenges Black academia faces in America, especially Black women, Dr. Loren M. Hill purposed to create a forum where she will provide strategic counseling, career assessment, and coaching services for individuals, especially people of color seeking the ideal career fit accelerated career development in higher learning.
Below are some of the themes that Dr. Loren M. Hill sheds light on, as she encourages women to partake in careers in higher education:
1. Career Advancement in Higher Education
Having a career path in education can be summarized into three main categories, teaching, service, or research. These are the primary factors to consider when providing coaching, counseling career assessment for people of color at different levels within the academic institution.
Hence, as an individual seeking to advance their career in academia, the question to answer is, what is the direction you are progressing towards? Is it research, service, or teaching?
2. Adjunct Faculty Advancement Coaching
Typically, it is the responsibility of the adjunct faculty to teach. It is crucial that these individuals actively advance their teaching skills to adequately meet the needs of the wide variety of students at the institution, especially the female Black Academic.
3. Review and Critique Educators’ CV to Ensure Advancement/Promotion
A professional CV is central to advancement while in an academic career path. When drafting a CV for an academic, research shows that more focus should be put on specialist skills, research interests, and academic achievements.
The academic world in America has been unjust to Black scholars in the country. However, people like Dr. Loren M. Hill actively seek to change the situation, making it more accommodative to the marginalized community.
To sum it up, if you are a woman seeking to pursue a career in education, find us here. Our main aim is to ensure that Black scholars know their worth in an institution beyond feeling the gap of the inclusion committee.