Biography

Dr. Freeman’s research interests include the academic motivation and achievement of African American students; the production of African American science and mathematics teachers at Historically Black Colleges and Universities; culturally responsive pedagogy; and research methods. Dr. Freeman’s research studies utilize various mixed-methods, including secondary data analysis, survey research, and qualitative approaches such as observations, interviews and case studies. Dr. Freeman’s publications include a research synthesis examining the intersectional experiences of black women and girls in STEM education in Review of Research in Education; an article on the meaning of “acting Black” among African American adolescents published in Culture and Psychology; a co-edited special issue of the Journal of Negro Education entitled “Learning Communities and the Higher Education of African Americans;” a book chapter titled, “Hip Hop Music in the Classroom: A Motivational Tool for African American Student Success in School?”; a book chapter on cultivating motivation of African American students; and an article in a special issue of Educational Psychologist on schooling and student well-being.

Dr. Freeman received the Emerging Scholar Award from the Howard University Faculty Senate, a Provost Service Award, a Faculty Exemplar award from the Graduate School, and the President's Medal of Achievement. Dr. Freeman sits on several of Howard University’s policy committees, in addition to her being a highly regarded member of the American Educational Research Association, Spencer Foundation Fellows, and other advisory boards and professional braintrusts. She has received more than $4.5 million in extramural funding in support of her work, including an HBCU-UP Broadening Participation Research Grant from the National Science Foundation to study what works in producing science and mathematics teachers at HBCUs. Dr. Freeman is the Principal Investigator of the Freeman Research Lab, and she currently serves as PI of the National Science Foundation funded HBCU-UP Broadening Participation Research Center for the Development of Identity and Motivation of African American Students in STEM, which is a collaboration among Howard University, Winston Salem State University, and Morehouse College.