Voices of Persistence: a Case Study Analysis of African American Male Community College Students Participating in a First-year Learning Community

Voices of Persistence: a Case Study Analysis of African American Male Community College Students Participating in a First-year Learning Community PDF Author:
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Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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A Road Less Traveled - Hearing the Voices of High Achieving African American Male Community College Graduates: A Narrative Study

A Road Less Traveled - Hearing the Voices of High Achieving African American Male Community College Graduates: A Narrative Study PDF Author: Charlita Yvonne Anderson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American men
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Community college leaders recognize the need for a more systemic and comprehensive approaches to increasing the retention rates of African American males, which was the impetus for this study. African American males within the community college system are not persisting and graduating at the same rates as that of their male or female counterparts, and approximately 70% of Black male undergraduates who start college never finish, which is the lowest college completion rate among both genders and all racial/ethnic groups in higher education (Harper, 2006a). This is compounded by a gap in the research regarding the existence of academically and socially high achieving African American males, as most research focuses on their underachievement. The purpose of this narrative qualitative inquiry was to explore the experiences and perceptions of AFRICAN AMERICAN males who successfully navigated and graduated from an urban community college in Northern California, in order to identify the factors that contributed to their persistence and success. The rationale for utilizing a narrative qualitative inquiry was this approach aligned with the study's goal of "giving voice" to African American male students' educational experiences and successful outcomes. This research study identified the three main themes of, experiencing success, involving and engaging African American males on campus, and receiving institutional support. Four results were identified; (a) involvement and engagement inside and outside the classroom are critical to African American male persistence and degree completion, (b) interpersonal connections between students and the community at large (peers, faculty, staff, and administrators) are integral to providing both validation and support as core factors to African American male persistence and degree completion, (c) validating experiences affirm positive interactions with community college faculty and are associated with African American male persistence and degree completion, and (d) self determination was an important attitude that propelled African American males forward to develop the kind of self-efficacy needed to complete their degree. Arising from this research were recommendations for the enhancement of community college programs to support African American male student success. Recommendations are also made for future research to deepen understanding of factors that support or thwart the success of these students.

Black Males in Postsecondary Education

Black Males in Postsecondary Education PDF Author: Adriel A. Hilton
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1617359343
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 243

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Black Males in Postsecondary Institutions: Examining their Experiences in Diverse Institutional Contexts offers a comprehensive examination of the experiences of Black males in our nation’s higher education institutions. In recognizing the role of institutions in fostering distinctive educational experiences, this volume systematically explores the status, academic achievement, and educational realities of Black men within numerous institutional types (i.e., community colleges, For-profit colleges, Liberal arts colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, ivy league institutions, religious-affiliated institutions, private institutions, Hispanic-serving institutions, research intensive institutions, and predominately White institutions). In line with a core commitment towards transformative change, chapter authors also provide recommendations for future research, policy, and practice aimed at fostering enhanced personal, academic, and career outcomes for Black men in college.

Too Important to Fail

Too Important to Fail PDF Author: Craig A. Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American male college students
Languages : en
Pages : 306

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Continued research on the first-year experience of African American male students entering institutions of higher learning is necessary and can provide a deeper look at institutional and individual factors that African American male students may encounter, and impact their academic success. Understanding the issues that affect African American male college students from achieving academic success in their first year of college is important. The role of the first year experience program in African American male college student persistence is discussed in this research study. This mixed-methods dissertation case study attempted to capture the lived experiences of and identify the issues that African American men face(d) during their participation in a first year experience program at a predominantly white institution. This study examined what impact participation in a First Year Experience program at a predominantly white institution had on African American male persistence. The quantitative data collected was used to support the qualitative findings. Three major findings include: a) nurturing self actualizing program design, b) nurturing campus environment, and c) nurturing support, both peer and faculty/staff, helped African American males to persist. The findings highlight both present and future challenges faced by African American males at predominantly white institutions and how participation in FYE program can curtail some of these barriers.

In Their Own Words : the Experience of First-year, First-generation College Students in Multicultural Learning Community

In Their Own Words : the Experience of First-year, First-generation College Students in Multicultural Learning Community PDF Author: Rashné Rustom Jehangir
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 602

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Engaging African American Males in Community Colleges

Engaging African American Males in Community Colleges PDF Author: Ted N. Ingram
Publisher: IAP
ISBN: 1641132299
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 274

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Book Description
This volume dedicated to the engagement of African American males in community colleges furthers the research agenda focused on improving the educational outcomes of African American males. The theme engagement also supports the anti-deficit approach to research on African American males developed by renowned research scholars. The true success of African American males in community colleges rests on how well these institutions engage young men into their institutions. This will require community colleges to examine policies, pedagogical strategies, and institutional practices that alienate African American males and fosters a culture of underachievement. The authors who have contributed to this volume all speak from the same script which proves than when African American males are properly engaged in an education that is culturally relevant, they will succeed. Therefore, this book will benefit ALL who support the education of African American males. It is our intent that this book will contribute to the growing body of knowledge that exists in this area as well as foster more inquiry into the achievement of African American males. The book offers three approaches to understanding the engagement of African American males in community college, which includes empirical research, policy perspectives and programmatic initiatives.

Overcoming Adversity

Overcoming Adversity PDF Author: Jerrel Wade
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American male college students
Languages : en
Pages :

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Despite increased numbers of African American male students pursuing higher education, their academic levels of achievement continue to lag behind other ethnic and gender groups (NCES, 2003). The gap is even greater at the community college, where dropout and failure rates double those seen among African American males at the four year institutions (U.S. Department of Education, 2004/2009). The purpose of this qualitative study was to help better understand the experience of the African American male community college student and assess the academic, psychological, and social factors that contribute to their success. The goal of this study was not to simply evaluate factors that lead to student success, but to more carefully understand how students make sense of their successes and failures. Using Mason’s (1998) model of African American male urban community college persistence as a conceptual framework, this case study observed the interactions of a group of approximately 21 African American male students during their meetings as part of minority-male initiative program over the course of an entire semester. To gain further insight on the topics and challenges addressed in these group meetings, three students in the program were interviewed at multiple points throughout the semester to provide more detailed accounts of their educational experiences. By following these students closely for an entire academic semester, a holistic view of all factors that aided or handicapped these students’ success was recorded. Results from the study found that factors the students’ cited as most relevant to their success were participation in a mentoring program, peer support, and faculty and academic advisors. Participants cited class completion, pre-college preparation and guidance, and a lack of confidence in their own academic abilities as the major hindrances to their success. The data also revealed that stereotype threat and family involvement could exert either a positive or negative impact on their college experience. Based on these findings, several of the key recommendations for community colleges focus on increasing African American males’ utilization of campus resources and services earlier in their college career. Most students in this study reported that the support services provided by the college were sufficient and helpful. However, students failed to utilize many of these services until after being enrolled for several semesters, which appeared to have a negative impact on their academic success. Findings from this study also suggest the structure of retention programs for African American males should include more one-on-one mentoring sessions. Several students were uncomfortable expressing their individual struggles in a group environment, so it is important for these programs to put efforts in place to create a strong mentor-mentee relationship that encourages individual attention. Collectively, these efforts could help increase the number of African American males that earn a credential or successfully transfer from the community college.

Freshman Experiences of African-American Males in Community Colleges

Freshman Experiences of African-American Males in Community Colleges PDF Author: Holly Smith
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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ABSTRACT: This study attempts to add the voices of male African-American community college freshmen to the larger dialogue of ethnicity and persistence in higher education via qualitative research methods. It builds upon previous qualitative research that focuses on successful African-American males in four-year colleges and universities by shifting the gaze from those who have completed a journey through higher education to those who are beginning their journey in higher education The purpose of this study is to develop an understanding of the freshman experiences of male African-American community college students. Findings from their freshman experiences will provide insight into the retention and transition experiences of African-American males in community colleges. This qualitative study is grounded in a postmodern epistemology. Phenomenological hermeneutic analysis is used to determine the meanings within the experiences of the African-American male community college students. The researcher interviewed six African-American males on two rural community college campuses to gather information about their first year experiences. Implications to established retention theories, including those of Tinto (1975) and Bean and Metzner (1985), are explored. Implications for higher education research on race related to stereotype threat and stigma consciousness are also explored. Finally, practical implications for community colleges are presented.

The Experiences of First-year African American Males in a Living Learning Community Attending a Historically Black College and University

The Experiences of First-year African American Males in a Living Learning Community Attending a Historically Black College and University PDF Author: Paul Brandon Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American male college students
Languages : en
Pages : 180

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"The purpose of this case study was to investigate the experiences of first-year African American males who participated in a Living Learning Community (LLC) while attending a Historically Black College and University (HBCU), to understand how, if at all, the program had any impact on the participants' retention. The conceptual framework for this study was derived from the student integration model (Tinto, 1993). Research was conducted on the campus of a mid-sized HBCU located in the southeastern region of the United States. Over a period of four weeks, data were collected from students participating in the LLC. Data collection methods included 12 in-depth interviews, 12 residence hall observations, 4 classroom observations, and information from reports obtained from the institution. Themes and subject categories from the interviews and observations were determined using a combination of In Vivo (Creswell, 2013; Saldana, 2013) and open coding (Corbin & Strauss, 2007). Findings from the case study showed students in the LLC perceived they experienced and/or received several academic benefits associated with their participation, such as knowledge and use of academic support services including academic advising, tutorial services, and supplemental instruction. The students also perceived they experienced more social connectivity with their fellow LLC members and participated in more social events compared to those not in the LLC. Additionally, the participants commented the program made it easier for them to make friends, which facilitated a smoother transition to college. Students also directly associated their LLC participation with increasing their likelihood of being retained. Based on these findings, a foundation for understanding how LLCs on HBCU campuses can positively impact first-year African American males will be established. The conclusions drawn from the study will advise higher education practitioners on methods to enhance outcomes for African American male students on HBCU campuses using LLC programming."--Abstract from author supplied metadata.

Persisting to Graduation

Persisting to Graduation PDF Author: Stanley Dawayne Kirkman
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : African American community college students
Languages : en
Pages : 222

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Although African-American males are enrolling in community colleges, their graduation rates are alarmingly low and there is a dearth of research about why this is the case. "Despite the high number of African American students enrolled in two-year institutions," argued Bush and Bush (2010), "there is a pronounced scarcity of educational literature and research about the community college system in general and African American students specifically" (p. 40). Harris and Wood (2013) also gave credence to the fact that it was not until after 2010 that scholars began researching men of color at community colleges. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to document and better understand the college-going experience of degree-seeking, first-generation, African-American males at an urban community college in the Midwest so that future African-American male students can be better supported in their quest for a higher education. Harper (2014) asked researchers to stop mischaracterizing young men of color and offer more than a one-sided narrative. This study aims to achieve that and also includes topics overlooked in the research: distinctive interventions for community colleges, personal reasons students drop out, the challenge of balancing academic and social pressures, and the need for qualitative research regarding the experiences of African-American males. In this study, major findings from 15 semi-structured interviews, demographic questionnaires, and support network diagrams are examined through an anti-deficit framing lens. Several themes emerged from the analysis process. Four of the major themes describe what contributes to associate degree completion for African-American males: importance of family and mentors, significance of believing in success, impact of community support, and influence of faculty connections. Four of the major themes are categorized as challenges to degree completion for African-American males. These are: complexities of being a first generation student, questioning the value of higher education, difficulties of college, and facing the reality of racism. Themes that emerged from this research indicate the ways faculty, student services professionals, and fellow students can best support African-American male students. This study also suggests that if community colleges truly want to see an increase in the number of African-American males graduating, there will need to be a college-wide strategy and implementation behind any social mobility objectives--not just words but action is needed. One participant offered a charge to readers that should persist beyond this dissertation regarding how instructors, staff, and students can best support African-American males at a community college: Just educate [yourself] about our experiences. Like you're doing. Talk to us, learn, see what they went through, see the challenges they went through to get where they are now, and what possible challenges they might face in the future.