A Commentary About the Black and Latino Doctoral Experience in the United States

Abstract

In an increasingly diverse and global society, it is imperative that doctoral education be pursued and completed by more diverse students. Currently, there is a significant disparity in doctoral degree completion, which is evident by the fact that in 2008 Blacks and Latinos represented less than 4,000 of the total number of 48,802 doctoral degree recipients (Hoffer, Hess, Welch, and Williams 2008). This paper argues the need to improve doctoral student persistence, particularly for Black and Latino students, considering the importance of hiring diverse faculty and staff as a critical issue now than ever before.