ERIC Number: ED517188
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2010
Pages: 222
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: ISBN-978-1-1097-7191-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
The "Lost Boys" of Higher Education African American Males from Basic Skills through University Transfer
Harvey, Marilyn Denise
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, University of Southern California
Ten African American men, who began their college career in Basic Skills courses at an urban community college in California and successfully transferred to a four-year college or university, share their life stories through that process in this case study. Their experiences differed from the literature in peer group interaction and definition, in their social and extra-curricular engagement, and in their faculty relationships. Interaction with peers on campus was limited to course-related work. Extra-curricular engagement was either unintentional or minimal. One made the Dean's list but did not know what it meant. Relationships with faculty were uneven--acknowledgment or recognition from faculty mattered immensely when it happened, but most interaction with faculty was limited to coursework. Participants used metaphors and poetry to make meaning of their experiences and largely attributed their success to self-determination. They embraced the bootstrap philosophy even though their college preparation, for the most part, left them with no boots. Family support and being a role model in their communities were motivators. School felt like a competition, but they also cautioned that "education was like a bug"--where, without guidance, one might choose courses that did not serve one's goals. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Student Experience, Role Models, College Preparation, Peer Groups, Group Dynamics, Poetry, Teacher Student Relationship, African Americans, Community Colleges, Interaction, Student Attitudes, Basic Skills, Urban Schools, Student Motivation, Undergraduate Students
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: California
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A