| There is a shortage of professors of African descent in the education professorate (Bok, 1992; National Center for Education Statistics, 2000). Scholars of African descent encounter many barriers when seeking employment and promotion and tenure in institutions of higher education (Hendricks & Caplow, 1998; Turner & Myers, 2000). Research indicates that this may be due to the climate of institutions of higher education for professors of diverse ethnic backgrounds (Verdugo, 1995; Solorzano, 1998). The present study of teacher education and special education professors of African descent at historically black and traditionally white institutions of higher education (n = 31) was conducted to investigate their employment experiences, perceptions of recruitment and retention procedures, and promotion and tenure practices with respect to research autonomy. Results from a questionnaire with 20 Likert-type items, one open-ended question and interviews (n = 4) were analyzed using a Fisher's Exact Test, Crosstab analysis generated from Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and qualitative methods. Results showed that study participants answered 16 of 20 Likert-type items similarly and there was no statistical significance. On 3 of the 20 Likert-type items there was statistical significance at the p < .001 level and on one of the 20 Likert-type items there was statistical significance at the p < .05 level based on institution type. These items addressed institutional racism, tenure and promotion expectations, feelings of tokenism and teaching loads. Quantitative findings were reinforced and expanded with interview data. Findings of the study suggest that there are more similarities than differences in the employment experiences of study participants. They were not recruited for higher education while they were doctoral students, nor were they given mentors when they entered the education professorate. Despite this 77% (n = 22) reported that they were satisfied with their careers in higher education and 80% (n = 24) intend to continue their careers in higher education. The study also showed that participants suggested research areas of need for African American students that were similar to their personal research agendas. |
