The purpose of this study was: 1) to explore the pre-tenure experiences of an African
American female faculty member in a counselor education program; and 2) to compare
the themes that ascended from a precursor study to the current one. By using critical
ethnography and case study format, this research gave voice to the participant by
prompting responses to questions of why and how. Evidence from this study reaffirms that
female faculty of color are adversely impacted by racism and sexism in the Academy.
Findings from this study support the notion that mentoring and across cultural affiliation
with tenure-track faculty members from diverse backgrounds contributes to their
professional achievement. Moreover, this study asserts that the milieu of researchintensive
universities may foster psychic numbing, which has an intergenerational effect.