Doctor of Philosophy / School of Family Studies and Human Services / Karen S. Myers-Bowman / Perceptions of family influence as a source of motivation to attend college were explored. More specifically, the purpose of this study was to investigate how, and in what ways, families shaped the pathway to higher education among 12 African American male collegians. Comparisons of these perceptions across family compositions and an extant model of family influence and college choice were also explored. The students in this study attended both public and private 4-year historically Black and predominantly White colleges situated throughout seven states in the Midwest and the South. A phenomenological qualitative research approach was employed to forward this study. Also, interpretive phenomenological analysis (IPA) techniques were applied to data gleaned from face-to-face interviews. Results of the study revealed two overarching themes of family influence and college choice for African American males: (1) deliberate family involvement and (2) contextual family influences. Eight subthemes illuminate the overarching theme deliberate family involvement: (1) emphasizing hard work, (2) aiding with pre-college paperwork, (3) offering messages about value of college, (4) supporting extra-curricular activities, (5) encouraging positive decision-making, (6) cultural indoctrination, (7) providing affirming words and praise, and (8) regular accessibility. Four subthemes buttress the overarching theme contextual family influence: (1) family educational choices, (2) family participation, (3) family representation and reactions, and (4) family stress. Implications for practice and recommendations for future research are also presented.

This study sought to understand the extent to which African-American males perceived their experiences in higher education as an impact of their persistence. With only 18 out of 40 African-American males graduating from college within six years (National Center for Public Policy and Higher Education, 2008), this study sought to explore the problem of African-American male persistence in higher education. Specifically, this study examined the difference in persistence among African-American males to determine which factors most influenced their persistence and discussed strategies to overcome these challenges. Using survey data from 45 questionnaires, 35 focus group questionnaires, and 13 interview questionnaires, this study contributes to the literature by examining 17 non-cognitive and other factors believed to affect this relationship. This study found that participants did believe the non-cognitive and other factors impacted perception and the ability to persist in college. However, the findings indicated mixed views about first-generation college students and mentorship. In general, the findings can be used to further study African-American male persistence in higher education. Based on the results, this study has several future research possibilities to further the discussion. Future research can examine different types of higher education institutions in varying geographic locations. In addition, future studies can further explore the impact of “subgroups” of African-American males such as athletes, first-generation college students, and other “nuclear groups” that may have a different experience than the average African-American male.

This qualitative study described and examined the characteristics, components and theoretical design of the Student African-American Brother (SAAB). The SAAB is a national program that seeks to increase the academic and social integration of African-American males in higher education to increase their potential to graduate with an undergraduate degree. The SAAB's academic and social integration strategies were compared to Bean and Bennett's conceptual model of black student attrition to determine the congruency between the organization's strategies and the theoretical framework. The methodology was case study. Thirty semi-structured interviews were held with past and current members of the organization to gain a broader knowledge of the SAAB strategies and interventions used to promote their academic and social integration. The research revealed the SAAB applies a three dimensional approach which consists of providing a supportive environment, supporting academic goals, and encouraging campus and community involvement. This approach increases the students' understanding of the organization and structure of the higher education setting to yield successful matriculation through a four year college or university.

School districts are failing to educate all of America's children. Dropout statistics reveal that almost 7,000 students leave our nation's schools everyday. At this rate 1.2 million students will not graduate on time with their prospective classes. The majority of American male students of African descent are dropping out instead of completing high school. When compared to that of their white peers, the dropout rate of American male students of African descent is significantly higher and the graduation rate much lower. This research examines high school dropouts from the perspectives of school-based leaders in a high school located in a city in a large southern school district. Structured interviews, transcribed with member-checks, were conducted with eight school-based leaders. The data in this qualitative study were used to examine their perspectives of American male students of African descent dropping out of their high school. The researcher maintained a reflective research journal to enhance the data analysis. The study found that the perspectives of the eight school-based leaders were influenced by their past histories with these students; their personal and acquired knowledge of these students, their families, and their communities. They were largely uniformed of the dropout rate and their previous history with these students had an impact on their present level of support to these students.

Abstract Improving the academic success and graduation rates of African-American males has been a major focus of both scholars and practitioners in the United States. Locally, African-American males at an urban Title 1 school were experiencing the lowest grade point averages, American College Test scores, and graduation rates in the district. In response to these academic declines, this study focused on the tenets of Bechtol's sports participation theory, which holds that students who play sports experience greater academic achievement and adult success in life. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between total hours of high school athletics participation and earned GPAs for African-American male students at the school under study for 1 academic year and across each term (4) of the school year. A correlational research design was used to identify if a relationship existed between hours of sports participation and the GPAs of African-American male student-athletes from the 2012 ' 2013 school year (N = 36). The results of the 5 Pearson correlation analyses indicated no statistically significant relationship between the total hours African-American male student-athletes spent participating in sports and their GPAs. The sample size was a limitation of the study design, therefore it was recommended to conduct the investigation with a larger sample size. The results of the study prompted the design of a professional development program for local administrators, faculty, and staff called Championing Higher Achievement Matriculation, Preparation, and Success for Student Athletes (CHAMPS). The CHAMPS program prepares school personnel to more effectively mentor, coach, tutor, and teach African-American male student-athletes. The program can improve the quality of education that can serve as the stimulus for social change through improved educational outcomes for African-American male student athletes.

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This quantitative study explored the obstacles African American male students face that can hinder their academic progress at community colleges within the rural regions of Louisiana. This study viewed the collective experiences of African American males in community colleges in order to improve their academic outcomes, completion, and retention rates. This study also explored the African American male’s educational experiences and the personal and academic obstacles they faced as students in the community college environment. This study used a research design that collected data from African American male students in two rural Louisiana community colleges. This study utilized a survey as the means to collect data. The dependent variables in this study were age, first-generation college student status, academic goal, and full-time or part-time job status. The independent variables were institutional factors that affect students’ completion rates, role of relationships with instructors, and impediments to social engagement in the community college environment. There were 100 African American male students who participated in the survey. The survey included 25 questions. There were 4 questions that measure participants’ demographics. The demographics being measured were age range, first-generation college student status, academic goal, and job status. There were 7 questions that measured the institutional factors that may affect completion rates. There were 9 questions that measured the experiences with faculty. There were 5 questions that measured student engagement socially and academically on campus. Answers were given based on a Likert scale or a list of responses from which to choose. Data analyses used to address the research questions include descriptive statistics for Research Questions 1-3 and one-way ANOVA for Research Question 4. Results from this study showed a statistically significant relationship between the African American male students’ demographics and institutional factors, relationship with instructors, and social engagement as a predictor for retention and graduation rates. This study provided data for community college administrators, state and federal-level policy makers, and faculty to help improve degree, diploma, and certificate attainment of African American males in community colleges.

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