CHAPTER 18: MATRICULATING, MARRIAGE, AND MANEUVERING WITHIN THE ACADEMY

Many experts agree that educational attainment is an essential ingredient in achieving economic viability and upward social mobility in American society (Kena et al., 2016), and this belief is reflected in the fact that educational attainment, for Americans, is as high as it has ever been (Ballard & Cintron, 2011). A more thorough analysis of educational statistics, though, reveals a troubling chasm between the number of degrees conferred on White and non-White students, particularly Latino and African American students (Gildersleeve, Croom, & Vasquez, 2011; Lee, 2006; Shealey, 2009). Data from the U.S. Census (2015) indicate a significant gap in levels of degree attainment between Black students and their non-Black peers. According to these data, as a group Blacks are less likely to complete Bachelor’s, Master’s, professional, or doctoral degree programs than their White and Asian counterparts.