In collegiate mathematics, college algebra continues to be a barrier to graduation for students (specifically non-science, mathematics, engineering, and science majors). Each year, nearly half of enrolled students struggle to "pass" this course with a grade of C or better (Herriott, 2006). Using innovative constructed lessons geared…

There are many theories that attempt to explain Black student behaviors, and outcomes in college. However, many of these theories that are held in high regard, oftentimes reflect cultural bias and rely heavily on quantitative analysis such as enrollment rates, grade point averages, and graduation rates. This study utilizes a qualitative…

Many academic support programs promote the academic success of first-year students, and research has shown the importance of effective academic advising to first-year student retention. Among the numerous approaches to academic advising, the strategy used by advisors at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) remains relatively…

The engagement of Black males is a constant concern at many institutions across this country. Black male students have specific wants and needs that may be unique from their peers. The factors, which influence a Black male student's decision to attend college, may differ from Black female students. Moreover, there are factors, which influence…

Increasingly Black college students are identifying as atheist, however few empirical studies in higher education and student affairs are exploring the phenomenon. This dissertation examines the question, "How do Black atheist understand their identity in college?" Using Higginbotham's Politics of Respectability and tenants of Critical…

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) were established primarily in the post-Civil War era to meet the educational needs of Black Americans. They provide pathways to upward social mobility and have a long-standing commitment to promoting both academic success and students' health and well-being. But persistent funding inequities at…

The research entitled, "The Factors That Affect Retention Rates of African-American Students Pursuing Stem Degrees from Historically Black Colleges and Universities" is a quantitative study that analyzes academic factors, specifically in the first year of college, and their impact on the retention of African-American Science, Technology,…

The Pell Grant is the foundational need-based student aid program in the United States, providing students of lower socio-economic status a pathway to afford college costs and educational expenses. Currently, over one-third of all U.S. undergraduate students receive Pell. This paper examines federal Pell assistance and institutional costs for…

There are relatively few studies of Historically Black College and University (HBCU) presidents and chancellors, particularly in relation to servant leadership. This is due in part to mistrust resulting from the misrepresentation of Black leaders in past research. Servant leadership, a framework that fits well with HBCU culture, is based on the…

This brief is part of a broad landscape analysis focused on policy and practice issues related to the recognition of prior learning. The landscape analysis focuses on issues arising in the practice of the recognition of prior learning, policies that encourage or limit its adoption, and key research needs and future directions for the field. The…

Forty-five veterans were recruited from an historically Black university (HBCU) using purposive, non-probability sampling to study their transition to college. Schlossberg's 4Ss transition model evaluated their Situation (operationalized as combat exposure, dangerous duty), Self (current depressive symptoms), Supports/Deficits (marital…

This study investigated the cultural barriers that Black women at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) face when deciding whether to report acts of sexual victimization and how those barriers operate as a silencing agent. Underpinned by critical race theory and Black feminist thought, this study presented an opportunity to identify…

Although there is empirical evidence concerning the value of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), broader narratives about these institutions too often overemphasize challenges and depict them from a deficit perspective. We argue that such depictions elide the benefits of HBCUs within the higher education landscape and are rooted…

Using data from the National Survey of Student Engagement, multivariate analyses were conducted to examine the impact of effective teaching practices and student--faculty interactions on perceptions of faculty relationship quality for Black women collegians at a public historically Black university. Using a conceptual framework that integrates…

High payments and default on undergraduate debt have consequences; they are of national concern if aversion to debt deters students from making optimal postbaccalaureate decisions on postbaccalaureate educational aspirations, enrollment, and early-career occupation. I conducted two semi-structured interviews, near graduation and six months later,…