TITLE:
Fostering a Sense of Community for African American Counselor Educators in an Online Setting
AUTHORS:
Melanie Richburg, Afiya Burson, D’Netra Smith
KEYWORDS:
African American, Counselor Educators, Sense of Community, Online Faculty
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.13 No.1,
January
20,
2025
ABSTRACT: This reflective literature review study aims to explore the challenges faced by African American counselor educators in higher education, particularly in online platforms, and the role a sense of community plays in addressing these issues. The research method employs a literature review and critical analysis to examine disparities such as unequal rank placement, feeling undervalued and unheard, disproportionate pay, and racial microaggressions. The findings reveal that these challenges significantly hinder the professional experiences and contributions of African American counselor educators. A sense of community, operationally defined as support from other faculty, access to resources, recognition of membership, and fostering belonging, trust, and mentoring, emerges as a critical factor in mitigating these challenges. The study concludes that creating a robust sense of community within online academic environments can enhance equity and inclusion for African American faculty in higher education, ultimately supporting their professional growth and retention.