NCID-2217
Kamaria Porter
Assistant Professor of Education Policy Studies
The Pennsylvania State University
Education/Degree:
1 Higher Education (University of Michigan)
About
Kamaria B. Porter, PhD. is an Assistant Professor of Education Policy Studies at The Pennsylvania State University. Dr. Porter received her doctorate in Higher Education from the University of Michigan. Her research examines gender and racial inequities in higher education, particularly university responses to sexual assault and student survivor experiences. Using her background as a rape crisis counselor, Porter adapted her research design to include trauma informed practice. Prior to graduate school, Dr. Porter worked as a community organizer in Chicago, focusing on expanding health care access and affordable housing. While earning her Masters in Higher Education at Loyola University Chicago, she trained to be a rape survivor crisis counselor, assisting survivors and their families in ERs as they navigated complex medical and legal decisions.
Current Work
Porter’s current research aims to understand how race, gender, and class influence Black women’s decision making around reporting sexual assault. The findings will help identify protective measures to prevent sexual violence and support student recovery after sexual assault exposure. Drawing from a data set of 60 trauma informed interviews with student survivors, Porter hopes to provide equity leaders develop responsive policies to retain students affected by sexual violence.
Research Area Keyword(s)
Sexual Violence and Assault, Title IX Policy, Socio-Legal Theory, Equity in Graduate Education