This study explores the challenges facing DEI practitioners amid rising political and organizational pressures. Interviews reveal widespread frustration but continued commitment, alongside burnout and lack of support. Findings highlight the need for standardized training, stronger professional communities, and collective engagement to sustain DEI efforts and ensure inclusive, supportive workplaces.

This research examines employment challenges faced by newcomer and refugee youth in Canada. Through interviews and surveys, it identifies barriers such as limited networks and access to services. Findings highlight the importance of tailored support and peer connections to improve integration and ensure equitable employment opportunities for newly arrived young immigrants.

This research examines how cultural narratives of “monsters” shape legal perceptions of marginalized groups, particularly queer people of color. Using a utopian framework, it proposes equity-based reforms to the criminal justice system, addressing the intersection of race and sexuality and amplifying underrepresented voices in legal scholarship and social justice discourse.

This dissertation explores the lived experiences of African American women in senior leadership roles at Texas higher education institutions. Addressing persistent underrepresentation, the study aims to move beyond awareness by generating actionable strategies to recruit, retain, and advance African American women into leadership positions where they can thrive.