My brother’s keeper: two Black men navigating the tenure-track experience

Abstract

This study explores the tenure-track experiences of two junior faculty Black men in higher education, while growing still remains vastly unexplored in higher education. Using an autoethnography approach with a critical race theory lens, the authors explore how race and institutional expectations shape their experiences along the primary components of the tenure process: research, teaching and service. While one author is beginning their tenure journey while the other is ending, findings highlight commonalities along teaching and service experiences are being mediated by their identities as Black men. Their research experiences are distinct from one another given the different research expectations of their respective institutions. The authors suggest recommendations for faculty, staff, and institutional leadership to support Black men who seek tenure and promotion in higher education.