The purpose of this study was to identify the most helpful to least helpful experiences of successful African American college sophomores that were perceived by them to be related to their academic success. Success is defined by a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. These African American students were attending a predominantly white institution; one having an enrollment of at least 88% white students (Jackson, 2002). Most helpful to least helpful experiences were developed into a concourse of university experiences based on interviews of African American college sophomores each with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.00. Statements that were obtained from these participants were used to conduct the second phase of the dissertation research. The participants in this study were 40 African American college sophomores attending a predominantly white institution. These participants sorted items (statements) from the interviews using Q methodology. Then follow-up interviews were used when appropriate to provide some participants with an opportunity to explain their sorting of statements from most helpful to least helpful in order to clear up any vagueness. Three factors emerged; they were named: (a) Making Use of Supportive People (b) Making the Best Use of Time and Funds, and (c) Being Committed to Academic Success. The three factor descriptions were presented along with selected demographics of participants within those factors. Based on the distinguishing and important statements, the rankings of their statements, and the data gleaned from interviews, participants on Factor 1 seemed to embrace perceptions of the university experiences that focused on faculty-student and peer relationships, participants on Factor 2 seemed to embrace perceptions of the university experiences that focused on financial aid and timely graduation, and participants on Factor 3 seemed to be committed to academic success.

At a time when increased emphasis is placed on pre-college preparation of disadvantaged students, the number of African American students entering colleges and universities continues to decline and the achievement gaps between these students and their White peers persist. While many enrichment programs report impressive gains, little research on these programs contains the perspective of the Black students. This book presents the results of a longitudinal study of academic achievement and pre-college enrichment of disadvantaged African American adolescents in two inner-city high schools. Through its presentation and analysis of the students' perceptions of pre-college enrichment seen in relation to their definitions of scholarship and the discussion of findings related to parent and teacher involvement, this book provides fresh perspectives on the school experiences of Black adolescents and offers important insights for those involved in both the development and evaluation of enrichment programs.

Presenting new empirical evidence and employing fresh theoretical perspectives, this book sheds new light on the challenges that Black Students face from the time they apply to college through their lives on campus.The contributors make the case that the new generation of Black students differ in attitudes and backgrounds from earlier generations, and demonstrate the importance of understanding the diversity of Black identity.Successive chapters address the nature and importance of Black spirituality for reducing isolation and race-related stress, and as a source of meaning making; students’ college selection and decision process and the expectations it fosters; first-generation Black women’s motivations for attending college; the social-psychological determinants of academic achievement, and how resiliency can be developed and nurtured; institutional climate and the role of cultural centers; as well as identity development; and mentoring. The book includes a new research study of African American male undergraduates who identify as gay or bisexual; discusses the impact of student-to-student interactions in intellectual development and leadership building; describes the successful strategies used by historically Black institutions with at-risk men; considers the role of parents in Black male students’ lives, and the applicability of the “millennial” label to the new cohort of African American students.The book offers new insights and concrete recommendations for policies and practices to provide the social and academic support for African American students to persist and fully benefit from their collegiate experience. It will be of value to student affairs personnel and faculty; constitutes a textbook for courses on student populations and their development; and provides a springboard for future research.

Background: African American males' experience in higher education is often categorized with negative terminology that does not reflect notions of success. Most research addressing the success of African American males in higher education illuminates factors that impede access to success and is often situated in university settings. Very little research is dedicated to examining the experiences of African American males in community colleges and even less research is published on their perceptions of success Purpose: To examine and understand the concept of success from the perspective of African American males enrolled in community college and identify how institutional and non-institutional factors affect their concept of success. Setting: Interviews were conducted at community colleges in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States. Subjects: Seven African American males enrolled in at least 6 credits at a community college in were interviewed. Research Design: Qualitative interviews using a semi-structured question matrix; the question matrix was designed to elicit responses related to defining a personal concept of success. Data Collection and Analysis: Face- to- face interviews were conducted on college campuses. Audio recordings were collected, transcribed, and then coded using computer- assisted qualitative data analysis software. Coded excerpts were grouped into prominent themes. Findings: Six primary themes were identified from the interview data. • Almost all participants stated that academic success had nothing to do with academic performance. Academic success was situated in overcoming challenges in an academic environment. • Success in general is more important than academic success. • The concept of success changes based on life experiences. • Feeling isolated, positive and negative interactions with faculty and peers contributed to the concept of success. • Negative imagery, stereotypes, financial status, and family support contribute to how African American males perceive themselves as successful. • Overcoming daily challenges based on race is indicative to how African American males equate success. Conclusions: While persistence and completion are important, academic success as defined by African American males in community college does not pertain to academic performance. Deeply rooted issues of race and racism influence a general definition of success. Concepts of success change overtime as significant life events occur and as more encounters with racism are realized. Overcoming challenges that affect the intersections of race, class and gender are more accurate descriptions of success. African American males in community college are very aware of how fragile their lives are as targets of racial profiling. Avoiding situations where others may not feel safe in their presence and continuously compensating for racial barriers that must be overcome in order to succeed is burden that is carried daily. For African American males, the only concept of success that matters is surviving the daily challenges of being an African American male for example, not losing their life at the hands of police officers.

Black Students' Perceptions documents and addresses what it means to be a black person getting an education in a predominantly white university."--Jacket.

This groundbreaking book edited by Terence Hicks, a quantitative research professor, and Abul Pitre, a qualitative research professor, builds upon the usefulness of each research method and integrates them by providing valuable findings on a diverse group of college students. This book provides the reader with a mixture of quantitative and qualitative research studies surrounding nine chapters on African American, first-generation, undecided, and non-traditional college students. Drawing from major quantitative and qualitative theoretical research frameworks found in multicultural education, Research Studies in Higher Education is a must-read. The chapter authors provide important recommendations for university administrators, faculty, and staff in supporting the academic, personal, and social adjustment of college life for African American, first-generation, undecided, and non-traditional college students. The book contributes greatly to the research literature regarding the role that educational leaders have in educating multicultural college students.