Utilizing portraiture as a qualitative methodology, this study examines the role of spirituality in the lives of 16 Black doctoral women who are pursuing degrees in engineering at three institutions, two historically Black and one historically White. The goal of this study is to better understand Black women's spiritual epistemologies and…

Alumni's engagement and contributions are mission-critical to a university. Alumni's role can be both financial as well as engagement in promoting and supporting the university's vision, mission, and operations. In the case of HBCUs (Historically Black Colleges and Universities), alumni members also play a significant key role in communicating the…

This qualitative descriptive case study delves into the effectiveness of academic support programs (ASPs) for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) law schools, focusing on enhancing academic performance and passing the bar exam. The underrepresentation of minority lawyers in the United States, which is attributed partly…

African American male enrollment in higher education has been declining for decades and African American male completion rates in higher education continue to demonstrate wide disparities. Explanations for these statistics are too often framed through deficit lenses that reinforce negative stereotypes about the motivations and capabilities of…

This study is an in-depth policy review and examination of the impact of the Louisiana Board of Regents' outcomes-based funding formula on graduation rates at Southern University at New Orleans. The findings are meant to serve as a guide for policymakers to align institutional programs and policies with the metrics of the funding formula to best…

Low retention and graduation rates among African American college students remain a national concern (Pike & Robbins, 2020). Many dropped out within their first year of enrollment (Gordon et al., 2021). Researchers attributed high attrition to low graduation and retention rates (Oates, 2019). Tinto and Cullen's (1973) Model of Departure and…

This qualitative research study examined the challenges that Black women face at an HBCU when aspiring to be promoted into executive-level administration. The study focused on challenges that were faced in the 19th century and compared them to the challenges that are faced today in the 21st century. The study looked at challenges such as lack of…

This dissertation explores the social, institutional, and structural conditions believed to be at the center of the racial disparities that influence access and participation within secondary and post-secondary environments of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. More specifically, this study investigates the…

This action research study examined and suggested strategic programs and practices to recruit more African American public school teachers. Collected interview and focus group data were analyzed using the modified van Kaam method and NVivo 12© software to identify themes regarding programmatic recommendations supporting the recruitment of African…

This dissertation examined the extent to which the sense of community, belonging, purpose and support of Black fraternities could be used as to enhance undergraduate black males' persistence to graduation. Guided by a sense of community theoretical framework, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight Black males who are Historically…

Over the years and particularly in the last decade, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have consistently faced challenges in retaining their chief executive officers. Their attrition as compared to the national norm is disproportionate. There is no doubt that there are a wide variety of reasons for this uncommon attrition. With…

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the qualifying cumulative grade point average (C-GPA) and grit in engineering students compared with African American female engineering students, who qualify to take upper-level courses in engineering at a Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) in a Southern state.…

Since 1991, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has mandated academic support services for student-athletes at all Division I institutions. Today, there is a vast difference of athletic academic support units at Power 5 Conferences compared to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The resources at Power 5 Conference…

The purpose of this study was to examine the perceived quality of relationship between first-time freshmen and their instructors at a local HBCU on self-efficacy and a student's intent to remain in school. A mixed-method research design was conducted utilizing surveys and open-ended questions to collect data. The findings were marginally…

This study explores the integration of career development into performing arts curriculum and its relevance to job satisfaction in the labor market for African American Music degree graduates. Through a phenomenological analysis utilizing interpretative analysis and snowball sampling, 11 interviews were conducted across two Historically Black…