Disciplinary Disruption: Exploring the Connection between High School Sanctioning and Black Collegiate Women’s Experiences Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Tiffany Lorraine Steele, M.Ed. Graduate Program in Educational Studies The Ohio State University 2020 Dissertation Committee Marc Johnston Guerrero, Advisor Susan R. Jones Wendy G. Smooth Copyrighted by Tiffany Lorraine Steele 2020 2 Abstract Limited research exists on the potential outcomes of experiencing disciplinary action in educational spaces for Black girls. More research is needed to explore how negative experiences with discipline and policing in their K-12 educational journeys influence Black girls’ thoughts around post-secondary education. Specifically, what role do disciplinary actions and their consequences have for Black girls as they pursue higher education? Therefore, the purpose of this dissertation study was to explore first-year, Black collegiate women’s experiences with disciplinary action in high school and the influence of discipline on their experiences in higher education. Through portraiture methodology, I explored the stories shared by five participants about their experiences with high school discipline, messaging received that shaped their views of higher education, and how these two instances collide to describe the influence high school discipline has on the collegiate experiences of Black women. Data for this study were collected through two individual interviews and one focus group interview. Participants were recruited from a large, midwestern, public institution of higher education. Data analysis was conducted through the development of participant portraits and emergent themes across portraits as a means to highlight the authentic voices and experiences shared by participants. Implications are shared for policy, practice, and research with a focus on supporting the needs of Black women and girls as they prepare for and transition ii to institutions of higher education and challenging biased disciplinary policies that can influence their educational trajectory before entering postsecondary education. iii Dedication I would like to dedicate my work to my late maternal grandmother, Flossie Renfro. When I remember the stories you shared about the miles you walked to the school house as a child for an education, I can’t help but to be humbled at my ability to carry that torch. And carrying that torch meant being the first in my family for many educational feats so they are no longer an exception but reality for all. Thank you for your strength, guidance, lessons, care, and most importantly, unconditional love. Although I lost you at the start of my doctoral journey, your spirit has been with me the entire time. I am proud to say that I “kept my eye on the prize” just like you asked. iv Acknowledgments When I reflect over the past four years on this journey, there are countless people and memories that I wouldn’t trade for the world. Just know, those who are in these pages have made a huge impact on my life and my ability to complete this process. If I fail to mention anyone, please charge it to my head and not my heart. As with all things, it is a must to give all honor and glory to God for not only calling me to pursue a Ph.D. but for the way He meticulously calculated this journey. Each moment leading up to this point was met with confirmation and support from the most unexpected places causing me to only count it towards His work and masterful plan for my life. He has never left me nor forsaken me. He has provided me with resources, rest, and community to pull me through one of the toughest journeys of my life. I am forever grateful that He chose me to do this work and to complete this walk. To my mom a.k.a ma a.k.a. mommykins a.k.a. Gertrude, I just love you. I couldn’t imagine learning the power of strength, love, and compassion from anyone else. Thank you for always supporting me along this journey and listening to me complain, allowing me to come home when I just needed to get away, sending me money to buy my favorite comfort foods, and reminding me how perfectly and marvelously made I am because of God. The moment you told me how proud you were of me after finishing my dissertation defense made all of this worth it. My goal is to continue making you just as v proud with each decision I make. This is OUR degree! And I can’t wait to see all that we do with it. I love you. To my dissertation committee, Drs. Guerrero, Jones, and Smooth, thank you all for believing in me. There were countless times I doubted myself, my ideas, and my ability to even complete this project but you all collectively reminded me of how much I had to offer the field and the necessity of my presence and scholarship. Thank you for learning alongside me through portraiture and pushing me to claim my thoughts as valuable contributions to the field of Higher Education and society as a whole. This would have been impossible without you. Dr. Guerrero, I just don’t know where to start when I try to put into words all that you have done for me in this program. From taking me on as an unexpected advisee, to fiercely supporting my dreams and voice, to advocating for me behind close doors, I thank you. Your genuine concern about my wellbeing and my life outside of this program has been one of my favorite parts of this experience. Thank you for the countless amount of times you’ve allowed me to cry at your desk from carrying the weight of life on my back during this journey. Thank you for not making me feel imcapable or insufficient. Thank you for affirming that I’m not crazy and that any microgression I experienced was real. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for letting me be me. To my lifelong friends, who know me better than I know myself and have been with me every step of the way (Dailyn, Grace, Will, Rhy, Denzel, Jakia, and DJ), thank you for allowing me space to pursue my dreams. I know many times I was distant and vi failed to communicate because I just didn’t have the words or mental capacity to even explain my thoughts but you all continued to love and support me. Dailyn, thank you for the quick check-ins when you knew in your gut something was wrong with me. I needed to talk more in those moments than you will ever know. Grace, thank you for every funny meme and conversation that allowed me to feel human and not just a grad student. They were subtle reminders that I can still have joy in the midst of everything. Will, Rhy, and Zel, my best friends since basically the beginning of time, thank you for always lifting me up whenever I tried to downplay my accomplishments and for celebrating me at all times even from a far. You all are the family I never knew I needed. Jakia, my sis in scholarship and my best friend in this thing called life, thank you for walking on this journey with me, letting me facetime you so I can find the motivation to write, letting me visit whenever I needed to get out of Columbus, and gifting me with my beautiful nephew, Tre. You are the epitome of loyalty and true friendship. Last, a specific shoutout to DJ for even introducing me to the idea of Ph.D., my first publications, Associate Editorship on an ENTIRE BOOK, and continued support in making sure I landed my dream position. YOU ARE THE GOAT. I literally wouldn’t even be in position to write this acknowledgement without you. To the best cohort a woman could ask for, Antonio, Kaity, Lane, Courtney, Shannon, Ashley, and Laura, I love and appreciate you more than you know. Thank you for the intentional check-ins throughout the journey, the trivia outings in the summer, the vii potlucks and barbecues, and the continuous celebration of each accomplishment we all achieve. HESA did something special when they put us together. Tiffany Polite, you have been so instrumental to my grad experience that you deserve your own section! Thank you for taking me under your wing as Tiffany #2 since I arrived in Columbus. From showing me around the city to making room for me on your couch whenever I just needed someone to remind me I’m not crazy, I thank you. Thank you for walking this path before me and making sure that I had what needed to make it out of this process as whole as possible. To my church family at New Salem Baptist Church, thank you for welcoming me to Columbus with open arms. I’m thankful to have had a spiritual covering throughout this journey that has been a space of safety, comfort, exposure, and celebration throughout this journey. Even down to Pastor Troy and Mrs. T checking on me to make sure I had everything I needed to see this journey through, I am forever thankful. And from New Salem, I am thankful for the friendships that emerged from ministry and genuine love. Christopher, thank you for introducing me to New Salem and to the people who are some of my best friends today. Thank you for supporting me through this journey the best ways you knew how rather you were here in Columbus or in North Carolina.