Dominique J Baker
Biographic Data
| ID | 3979193 |
|---|---|
| NAME | Dominique J Baker |
| GIVEN NAMES | Dominique J |
| FAMILY NAME | Baker |
| SIGNATURE | BAKER D J |
| AFFILIATIONS | Southern Methodist University |
| ORCID | 0000-0001-8570-9681 |
| VERIFIED | Yes |
| TOTAL WORKS | 16 |
| TOTAL CITATIONS | 55 |
| AUTHOR COUNT | 16 |
| EDITOR COUNT | 0 |
| FIRST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2017 |
| LATEST PUBLICATION YEAR | 2026 |
| H-INDEX | 4 |
The Varying Impacts of Merit-Aid Policy Design on Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation at Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities
This study examines whether and which aspects of statewide merit-aid policies influence students’ enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes at public four-year institutions, before exploring the influence of discontinuing merit aid on student outcomes. Using a novel dataset capturing details of merit-based aid policies for public four-year institutions over nearly two decades, we find suggestive evidence that merit-aid adoption is related to…
Letters of Recommendation by High School Counselors in Selective College Admissions: Differences by Race and Socioeconomic Status in Letter Length and Topics Discussed
Letters of recommendation from school counselors are required to apply to most selective universities. We use cutting-edge natural language processing techniques to algorithmically analyze a national dataset of over 600,000 student applications and counselor recommendation letters submitted through the Common Application. We examine how the length and topical content of letters (e.g., sentences about Personal Qualities, Athletics, Intellectual Pr…
Inequality Beyond Standardized Tests: Trends in Extracurricular Activity Reporting in College Applications Across Race and Class
For years, discussions on inequality in college admissions have addressed standardized tests, but less is known about inequality in nonstandardized components of applications. We analyzed extracurricular activity descriptions in 6,054,104 applications submitted through the Common Application using natural language processing methods. Overall, White, Asian American, wealthier, and private-school students reported more activities, top-level leaders…
Tennessee’s Burden: How Students Apply for State Financial Aid within One Southern State
The Relationships Between State Higher Education Funding Strategies and College Access and Success
We compiled the first longitudinal data set with detailed state funding information to examine whether different funding strategies for public higher education correlate with college access and completion, with a focus on outcomes among racially minoritized students. We found no relationships between funding mechanisms and student outcomes at public universities. However, at community colleges, we found that funding strategies that combine base a…
A Latent Class Analysis of Racial Terminology in Education Research: Patterns of Racial Classifications in Aera Journals
Education research commonly uses racial terminology but with little understanding of racial classification patterns across the field. In this study, we surface the use of racial terminology using a census of original research published in American Educational Research Association journals between 2009 and 2019. We do so as an ethical quantification exercise, seeking to further social justice goals by encouraging scholarship on racial terminology …
Too Much or Nothing at All: Racialized Administrative Burdens and Higher Education Policy Communication in Texas
Several states, including Texas, have implemented an "excess semester credit hours (ESCH)" policy. State ESCH policies assess a fee to students at public institutions when they exceed a set number of lifetime cumulative credit hours (e.g. students with more than the 120 credit hours needed for a bachelor's degree). In this article, we investigate a case study of Texas public institutions' communication of state ESCH policies. We analyze 119 docum…
Defining the “Community” in Community College: A National Overview and Implications for Racial Imbalance in Texas
At least 38 states have created service areas or “districts” for each of their community colleges. However, little is known about the geographic boundaries of community college districts and the policymaking process that defines them. We studied state policy documents nationally and the actual district boundaries of Texas community colleges to investigate the larger policymaking processes of determining boundaries. We found significant variation …
What If We Leave It Up to Chance? Admissions Lotteries and Equitable Access at Selective Colleges
Many prominent social scientists have advocated for random-draw lotteries as a solution to the “problem” of elite college admissions. They argue that lotteries will be fair, equitable, eliminate corruption, reduce student anxiety, restore democratic ideals, and end debates over race-conscious admissions. In response, we simulate potential lottery effects on student enrollment by race, gender, and income, using robust simulation methods and multip…
When Students Speak Out: Understanding the Motivations for I, Too, Am Mobilization
Background Beginning in the 2013–2014 school year, students across colleges and universities in the United States created a series of campaigns similar to the original I, Too, Am Harvard photo campaign (which focused on highlighting the negative campus climate for black students at Harvard University). Purpose This study illuminates some of the reasons why students decided to mobilize in order to provide a clearer understanding of what students a…
How Administrative Data Collection and Analysis Can Better Reflect Racial and Ethnic Identities
Measuring race and ethnicity for administrative data sets and then analyzing these data to understand racial/ethnic disparities present many logistical and theoretical challenges. In this chapter, we conduct a synthetic review of studies on how to effectively measure race/ethnicity for administrative data purposes and then utilize these measures in analyses. Recommendations based on this synthesis include combining the measure of Hispanic ethnici…
Affirmative Intervention to Reduce Stereotype Threat Bias: Experimental Evidence from a Community College
At all levels of education, the racial achievement gap in performance between Black and Latino students and their White peers stubbornly persists. While the causes of this gap are numerous and interrelated, one theory posits that students from underrepresented racial groups may face stereotype threat, meaning that fear of failing and thereby fulfilling negative group stereotypes leads to anxiety and suboptimal cognitive performance. Though low-co…
Pathways to Racial Equity in Higher Education: Modeling the Antecedents of State Affirmative Action Bans
Eight states currently have bans on affirmative action, yet little research has focused on the characteristics of states that predict ban adoption. To begin filling this gap in the literature, I conduct discrete-time survival analysis on an aggregated data set of 47 states from 1995 to 2012 to investigate the extent to which various characteristics of a state predict its likelihood of adopting a statewide affirmative action ban. Results show that…
Impact of Community College Student Debt Levels on Credit Accumulation
Most community college students do not borrow to pay for their education. However, in recent years more students are borrowing and, when they borrow, accumulating large amounts of debt. To help clarify whether increased debt burdens are aiding community college students or harming them, we explore the impact of borrowing on academic credit hour accumulation. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study 2002–2012, we provide multiple estimates…
Beyond the Incident: Institutional Predictors of Student Collective Action
Since the original unveiling of the I, Too, Am Harvard campaign, which highlighted students’ experiences with racially based microaggressions on Harvard’s campus, more than 40 other student-led initiatives have developed their own similar campaigns. We used data on 4-year public and private, not-for-profit institutions during a 5-year period from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System to investigate the institutional characteristics t…
The Racial College Completion Gap: Evidence From Texas
This analysis focuses on the college completion gap between underrepresented minority students and White students, or the Hispanic -White and Black -White racial college completion gaps, given the unprecedented demographic growth of these populations in the United States as well as the nation's public K -12 schools and postsecondary institutions. Using a variance decomposition method, we find that precollege characteristics (a combination of indi…
Pathways to Racial Equity in Higher Education: Modeling the Antecedents of State Affirmative Action Bans
Eight states currently have bans on affirmative action, yet little research has focused on the characteristics of states that predict ban adoption. To begin filling this gap in the literature, I conduct discrete-time survival analysis on an aggregated data set of 47 states from 1995 to 2012 to investigate the extent to which various characteristics of a state predict its likelihood of adopting a statewide affirmative action ban. Results show that…
How Administrative Data Collection and Analysis Can Better Reflect Racial and Ethnic Identities
Measuring race and ethnicity for administrative data sets and then analyzing these data to understand racial/ethnic disparities present many logistical and theoretical challenges. In this chapter, we conduct a synthetic review of studies on how to effectively measure race/ethnicity for administrative data purposes and then utilize these measures in analyses. Recommendations based on this synthesis include combining the measure of Hispanic ethnici…
The Racial College Completion Gap: Evidence From Texas
This analysis focuses on the college completion gap between underrepresented minority students and White students, or the Hispanic -White and Black -White racial college completion gaps, given the unprecedented demographic growth of these populations in the United States as well as the nation's public K -12 schools and postsecondary institutions. Using a variance decomposition method, we find that precollege characteristics (a combination of indi…
Beyond the Incident: Institutional Predictors of Student Collective Action
Since the original unveiling of the I, Too, Am Harvard campaign, which highlighted students’ experiences with racially based microaggressions on Harvard’s campus, more than 40 other student-led initiatives have developed their own similar campaigns. We used data on 4-year public and private, not-for-profit institutions during a 5-year period from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System to investigate the institutional characteristics t…
Affirmative Intervention to Reduce Stereotype Threat Bias: Experimental Evidence from a Community College
At all levels of education, the racial achievement gap in performance between Black and Latino students and their White peers stubbornly persists. While the causes of this gap are numerous and interrelated, one theory posits that students from underrepresented racial groups may face stereotype threat, meaning that fear of failing and thereby fulfilling negative group stereotypes leads to anxiety and suboptimal cognitive performance. Though low-co…
Inequality Beyond Standardized Tests: Trends in Extracurricular Activity Reporting in College Applications Across Race and Class
For years, discussions on inequality in college admissions have addressed standardized tests, but less is known about inequality in nonstandardized components of applications. We analyzed extracurricular activity descriptions in 6,054,104 applications submitted through the Common Application using natural language processing methods. Overall, White, Asian American, wealthier, and private-school students reported more activities, top-level leaders…
What If We Leave It Up to Chance? Admissions Lotteries and Equitable Access at Selective Colleges
Many prominent social scientists have advocated for random-draw lotteries as a solution to the “problem” of elite college admissions. They argue that lotteries will be fair, equitable, eliminate corruption, reduce student anxiety, restore democratic ideals, and end debates over race-conscious admissions. In response, we simulate potential lottery effects on student enrollment by race, gender, and income, using robust simulation methods and multip…
Impact of Community College Student Debt Levels on Credit Accumulation
Most community college students do not borrow to pay for their education. However, in recent years more students are borrowing and, when they borrow, accumulating large amounts of debt. To help clarify whether increased debt burdens are aiding community college students or harming them, we explore the impact of borrowing on academic credit hour accumulation. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study 2002–2012, we provide multiple estimates…
Impact of Community College Student Debt Levels on Credit Accumulation
Most community college students do not borrow to pay for their education. However, in recent years more students are borrowing and, when they borrow, accumulating large amounts of debt. To help clarify whether increased debt burdens are aiding community college students or harming them, we explore the impact of borrowing on academic credit hour accumulation. Using data from the Education Longitudinal Study 2002–2012, we provide multiple estimates…
Beyond the Incident: Institutional Predictors of Student Collective Action
Since the original unveiling of the I, Too, Am Harvard campaign, which highlighted students’ experiences with racially based microaggressions on Harvard’s campus, more than 40 other student-led initiatives have developed their own similar campaigns. We used data on 4-year public and private, not-for-profit institutions during a 5-year period from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System to investigate the institutional characteristics t…
The Racial College Completion Gap: Evidence From Texas
This analysis focuses on the college completion gap between underrepresented minority students and White students, or the Hispanic -White and Black -White racial college completion gaps, given the unprecedented demographic growth of these populations in the United States as well as the nation's public K -12 schools and postsecondary institutions. Using a variance decomposition method, we find that precollege characteristics (a combination of indi…
Affirmative Intervention to Reduce Stereotype Threat Bias: Experimental Evidence from a Community College
At all levels of education, the racial achievement gap in performance between Black and Latino students and their White peers stubbornly persists. While the causes of this gap are numerous and interrelated, one theory posits that students from underrepresented racial groups may face stereotype threat, meaning that fear of failing and thereby fulfilling negative group stereotypes leads to anxiety and suboptimal cognitive performance. Though low-co…
Pathways to Racial Equity in Higher Education: Modeling the Antecedents of State Affirmative Action Bans
Eight states currently have bans on affirmative action, yet little research has focused on the characteristics of states that predict ban adoption. To begin filling this gap in the literature, I conduct discrete-time survival analysis on an aggregated data set of 47 states from 1995 to 2012 to investigate the extent to which various characteristics of a state predict its likelihood of adopting a statewide affirmative action ban. Results show that…
When Students Speak Out: Understanding the Motivations for I, Too, Am Mobilization
Background Beginning in the 2013–2014 school year, students across colleges and universities in the United States created a series of campaigns similar to the original I, Too, Am Harvard photo campaign (which focused on highlighting the negative campus climate for black students at Harvard University). Purpose This study illuminates some of the reasons why students decided to mobilize in order to provide a clearer understanding of what students a…
How Administrative Data Collection and Analysis Can Better Reflect Racial and Ethnic Identities
Measuring race and ethnicity for administrative data sets and then analyzing these data to understand racial/ethnic disparities present many logistical and theoretical challenges. In this chapter, we conduct a synthetic review of studies on how to effectively measure race/ethnicity for administrative data purposes and then utilize these measures in analyses. Recommendations based on this synthesis include combining the measure of Hispanic ethnici…
What If We Leave It Up to Chance? Admissions Lotteries and Equitable Access at Selective Colleges
Many prominent social scientists have advocated for random-draw lotteries as a solution to the “problem” of elite college admissions. They argue that lotteries will be fair, equitable, eliminate corruption, reduce student anxiety, restore democratic ideals, and end debates over race-conscious admissions. In response, we simulate potential lottery effects on student enrollment by race, gender, and income, using robust simulation methods and multip…
Too Much or Nothing at All: Racialized Administrative Burdens and Higher Education Policy Communication in Texas
Several states, including Texas, have implemented an "excess semester credit hours (ESCH)" policy. State ESCH policies assess a fee to students at public institutions when they exceed a set number of lifetime cumulative credit hours (e.g. students with more than the 120 credit hours needed for a bachelor's degree). In this article, we investigate a case study of Texas public institutions' communication of state ESCH policies. We analyze 119 docum…
Defining the “Community” in Community College: A National Overview and Implications for Racial Imbalance in Texas
At least 38 states have created service areas or “districts” for each of their community colleges. However, little is known about the geographic boundaries of community college districts and the policymaking process that defines them. We studied state policy documents nationally and the actual district boundaries of Texas community colleges to investigate the larger policymaking processes of determining boundaries. We found significant variation …
Tennessee’s Burden: How Students Apply for State Financial Aid within One Southern State
The Relationships Between State Higher Education Funding Strategies and College Access and Success
We compiled the first longitudinal data set with detailed state funding information to examine whether different funding strategies for public higher education correlate with college access and completion, with a focus on outcomes among racially minoritized students. We found no relationships between funding mechanisms and student outcomes at public universities. However, at community colleges, we found that funding strategies that combine base a…
A Latent Class Analysis of Racial Terminology in Education Research: Patterns of Racial Classifications in Aera Journals
Education research commonly uses racial terminology but with little understanding of racial classification patterns across the field. In this study, we surface the use of racial terminology using a census of original research published in American Educational Research Association journals between 2009 and 2019. We do so as an ethical quantification exercise, seeking to further social justice goals by encouraging scholarship on racial terminology …
Letters of Recommendation by High School Counselors in Selective College Admissions: Differences by Race and Socioeconomic Status in Letter Length and Topics Discussed
Letters of recommendation from school counselors are required to apply to most selective universities. We use cutting-edge natural language processing techniques to algorithmically analyze a national dataset of over 600,000 student applications and counselor recommendation letters submitted through the Common Application. We examine how the length and topical content of letters (e.g., sentences about Personal Qualities, Athletics, Intellectual Pr…
Inequality Beyond Standardized Tests: Trends in Extracurricular Activity Reporting in College Applications Across Race and Class
For years, discussions on inequality in college admissions have addressed standardized tests, but less is known about inequality in nonstandardized components of applications. We analyzed extracurricular activity descriptions in 6,054,104 applications submitted through the Common Application using natural language processing methods. Overall, White, Asian American, wealthier, and private-school students reported more activities, top-level leaders…
The Varying Impacts of Merit-Aid Policy Design on Enrollment, Retention, and Graduation at Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities
This study examines whether and which aspects of statewide merit-aid policies influence students’ enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes at public four-year institutions, before exploring the influence of discontinuing merit aid on student outcomes. Using a novel dataset capturing details of merit-based aid policies for public four-year institutions over nearly two decades, we find suggestive evidence that merit-aid adoption is related to…
Higher Education Research Studies (14 works) · Political science (12 works) · Sociology (10 works) · Psychology (9 works) · Law (7 works) · Law (7 works) · Critical Race Theory in Education (6 works) · Economics (6 works) · Gender Studies (6 works) · Public relations (6 works)