Imposter Syndrome as Women of Color
Voicing experiences across the Diag
About
The goal of this site is to build and encourage a community of students who are currently or have faced imposter syndrome as women of color. Here we discuss the complexities of navigating a phenomena common to many college students through an intersectional lens of our identities.
What is Imposter Syndrome?
What Many of Us Know
Imposter Syndrome, or the imposter phenomenon, is the persistent inability to believe that one’s success is deserved or has been legitimately achieved as a result of one’s own efforts or skills.
Many students in college often face this phenomenon as they make the transitions from high school to college as well as from adolescence to adulthood.
Where it Comes From
The term, imposter phenomenon, was coined by psychologists Suzanna Imes and Pauline Rose Clance from their 1978 landmark study, “The Impostor Phenomenon in High-Achieving Women.”
The study highlighted how high achieving women reported feelings of inauthenticity relative to their accomplishments in the academy and professional realms in which they worked.
Imposter Syndrome on Women of Color
There are 2 main criticisms on imposter syndrome focusing on women of color...
One, that it is a white woman’s problem that does not serve people of color. Critics, many of whom are women of color, argue that they do not identify with the construct and see themselves being incorrectly “misdiagnosed” with the imposter syndrome.
Two, that imposter syndrome blames women and people of color for feeling like imposters, rather than focusing on how their environment causes them to do so.
Considering that, as women of color are often minorities within an already marginalized group across college campuses, this makes it difficult to identify and access resources that can help them navigate their own individual issues.
It’s often been said that one of the best ways to encounter imposter syndrome is through mentors and people who others can relate to. This is why it is crucial for universities to provide and encourage mentorship programs, as well as increasing diversity amongst its faculty and staff.
Experiences Across the Diag
“Everything was new. But as a women of color, and someone who grew up in a low income community, I felt like I didn’t belong. That I couldn’t relate to my peers and that I wasn’t on the same level as them. They were clearly more smarter, more confident, and I couldn’t help but think that the only reason I got in was because I was a token diversity student.”
Deena, 21
“I got to college and people were definitely smarter than me and bolder and asked questions and I just had no idea what I was doing ever or what I wanted to do with my future ,and the whole time I’m like why am I here in scholarship if I can’t even figure things out? Like scholarships are for people with potential and if I do have potential then everyday I’m wasting it.”
Umber, 22
What’s your story?
If you’ve encountered imposter syndrome as women of color, share your story! (anonymously or not) Add to the dialogue of experiences and resources that can aid other students with their own journeys.
Resources on Campus
Trotter Multiculutural center
For me personally, I felt that Trotter was one of the very few places where I felt comfortable in my skin. In a overwhelmingly White campus, Trotter is a welcoming and safe space for people of color and marginalized identities. It’s also a great study spot!
Mentoring
Mentors, either through formal programs, such as Success Connects, or informally through personal connections can truly allow you to conquer imposter syndrome by receiving the advice and experiences through others who can relate to your own struggles.
Podcasts
Michigan Voices has an interesting podcast titled,“M” Poster Syndrome and its “M-Pact,” and UM Porfessor Dr. Kevin Cokley has a podcast that dives into the doubts we have and how to conquer them, “The Psychology of Self-Doubt.”
Add Your resources here
If you’d like to share your own ideas and resources, and/or see the full list of resources, check out this Google Doc!
Have you seen these Zines?
Find these zines across campus!
Issue # 1
The one that started it all!
Issue # 2
Coming Soon!
About the Author
Dahika Ahmed is a Class of 2024 student at the University of Michigan majoring in Psychology. As a women of color she often found herself navigating issues relating to imposter syndrome as well as having worked in academic research that explored the challenges that marginalized students face in higher education. This interest led to exploring the topic of women of color and imposter syndrome in depth, and to the creation of this website. For further inquires or discussions, please feel free to contact the author!