College graduation rates are a source of concern; many students fail to complete degree programs and therefore miss out on the socioeconomic benefits accruing to college graduates. Some have proposed that colleges be evaluated based on their graduation rates, with financial aid dollars directed away from poor performers. However, none of these…

This issue of "Assessment Update" presents the following articles: (1) Asking the Right Questions: Reflective Preparation for a Program Review (Corinne Renguette, Charles Feldhaus, and Elizabeth Wager; (2) The Neuroscience of Learning and Development: What Does That Mean for Assessment and Evaluation? (Marilee Bresciani Ludvik); (3)…

Objective: The availability of cervical cancer prevention services at college health centers was compared between historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and non-HBCUs. Methods: Four-year, non-primarily distant learning colleges, matching HBCUs with randomly selected non-HBCUs within the same states (N = 136) were examined. Data were…

In the last decade, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) students have become very visible at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), but this visibility is not reflected in some colleges' student programs and activities. Only a few notable HBCUs, such as Howard University and Spelman College, have made a concerted effort.…

This conceptual study builds an institution-focused, non-Eurocentric, theoretical framework of black college student success. Specifically, the study synthesizes the relevant empirical research on the contributions historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) have made for black student success, leading to an original model that all…

This qualitative study was born out of the researcher's interest in better understanding the leadership of private Black colleges and strong desire to identify culturally relevant strategies for reimagining the utility and viability of this cohort of specialized universities. While the literature revealed an exploration of the history, mission and…

Drawing from the qualitative tradition of narrative inquiry, and situated in an online learning environment at a historically Black college or university, this study explores the potential transformative impact of an original teaching philosophy from the perspectives of a tenure-track assistant professor and four former, nontraditional…

There has been a national- and state-level call for colleges and universities to develop targeted mentoring programs for Black males. However, there is limited published scholarship that has investigated the experiences of non-U.S.-born Black males in these college mentoring programs generally, and at historically Black colleges and universities…

Background: Young African American women are disproportionately affected with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintentional pregnancies. Despite adequate knowledge, assertiveness, and negotiation skills, consistent condom use remains low. Aims: We sought to assess the role of pregnancy and STI risk perception in condom decision making…

This study explores the experiences of African American women as students at Xavier University of Louisiana (XULA). This study specifically focuses on how these women's experiences at their HBCU facilitated their construction of Black womanhood. This study did not aim to compare, contrast, or situate the experiences of African American women…

Introduction: Obtaining higher education increases the amount of stressors physically, mentally, and emotionally. College is more than parties, pledging, and freedom from authoritative figures. For many young adults, it is the time to learn independence, responsibility, and roads to success. Today's students are making life-altering decisions…

The purpose of this comparative study is to ascertain the experiences and perceptions of four Black males enrolled in teacher preparation programs, one at a Predominantly Black Institution (PBI) and three at a Predominantly White Institution (PWI). Findings provide insight for Colleges of Teacher Education to understand the barriers that prevent…

While it is important for college and university senior administrators to embrace the traditional roles of their administrative positions, senior administrators' interactions with students also shape institutional culture, students' engagement, and ultimately play a role in students' motivation to succeed. This engagement is especially evident in…

Though HBCUs represent a small number of higher education institutions across the U.S., they remain crucial sites for educating and empowering African American students and, as we discuss here, writers. Yet it's rare to see HBCUs represented consistently at professional conferences about composition studies and writing centers. As a result, the…

The college graduation rates for African-Americans, as compared to other ethnic cohorts, remains at a continuous low level. According to the National Center for Education Statistics (2014), 1,602,480 baccalaureate degrees were conferred nationwide to college students during 2009-2010. The purpose of this phenomenological research study is to…