Research Spotlight: Taiylor R. Rayford

Q: What is a full citation for your feature research product?

 A: Rayford, T.  & Marchand, A. (2025, April). Using belonging fulfillment to understand the psychosocial development of Black graduate students [Poster Presentation]. Society for Research in Child Development Conference, Minneapolis, MN. 

Q: Describe your research interests and the focus of your research program.

A: My research centers understanding the psychosocial development of people of color in the United States, specifically within the context of education. My most current program emphasizes the dynamic nature of a sense of belonging, and the importance of understanding belonging fulfillment. 

Q: Share what motivated you to conduct this featured research.

A: Interesting enough, this line of research started as a personal conversation between me and a friend during the summer after our first year of our doctoral program. We had casually discussed the importance of expectations and why they aren't discussed more within the education context. 

Q: Describe your feature study. 

A: Unfortunately, in the United States, Black graduate students exhibit some of the highest levels of attrition in graduate programs, which can partially be explained by their struggles in developing a sense of belonging. It is also known that unmet expectations can be detrimental to someone’s sense of belonging. Thus, to improve Black graduate student retention, it is important to understand how a student’s expectations of belonging align with their experiences of belonging, also known as belonging fulfillment. However, existing frameworks overlook the importance of students' expectations and how they affect their sense of belonging. To this end, the feature researched aimed at developing a theory that can properly explain the belonging fulfillment phenomenon. Using Constructivist Grounded Theory Methodology, the results highlight a framework that has four processes —adjustment, bootstrapping, connection, and support— and six factors— advisor & program faculty, geographic location, funding, program peers, program opportunities, and racial experiences — that can represent and explain this phenomenon. This study is particularly important because it uplifts a population that is overlooked in the field, while also advancing the constellation of belonging theories.

Q: Is there anything else you would like to share?

A: I recently defended my dissertation and am poised to graduate. I am open to new collaborations and job opportunities that align with my skillset. You can find ways to connect with me at TaiylorRayford.com.