Critical Race Theory within Graduate Education: Connecting Theory with Practice

Abstract

Graduate enrollment patterns of students of color suggest that a gap in graduate enrollment persists between Black and Latinx students and White students despite an overall increase in enrollment. Graduate enrollment depends, in part, on student aspirations for graduate study, which is influenced by undergraduate student success and sense of belonging. Using a lens of Critical Race Theory, this paper seeks to explore the nature of undergraduate student experience and how it impacts aspiration to graduate study. It also provides a framework to facilitate equity-minded academic advising, providing a positive space for students of color to explore graduate aspirations.