Affirmation, Support, and Advocacy: Critical Race Theory and Academic Advising

Abstract

The research presented describes the unique challenges of students from historically marginalized communities, particularly Black students, attending predominantly White institutions. Challenges include overt and covert campus racism, daily microaggressions, and limited or no sense of belonging. How are these challenges exacerbated when a student's academic advisor is unable or unwilling to understand their daily experiences on a predominantly White campus? How can academic advisors work to affirm, support, and advocate for underrepresented students during their matriculation? Using critical race theory to improve practice for academic advisors, I call for advisors to gain and maintain a consciousness of the ways race and racism influence not only the experiences of students of color but also their relationships with academic professionals.