dc.contributor.author	Smith, Monica Williams
dc.coverage.spatial	United States	en_US
dc.coverage.temporal	2019-2021	en_US
dc.date.accessioned	2022-03-03T20:14:34Z
dc.date.available	2022-03-03T20:14:34Z
dc.date.issued	2021-12
dc.identifier.other	BAE90424-BA70-8E8C-4AF0-400F3A69F724	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	https://hdl.handle.net/10428/5359
dc.description.abstract	This qualitative study captured the stories of African-American male students, who participated in the African-American Male Initiative (AAMI) program at a predominantly White institution (PWI) in the south, to better understand how racial climate effected their college experiences and retention decisions. The data collected from this PWI revealed a steady increase in the African-American student enrollment and retention rate. However, the Black male student population has experienced a dramatic decrease in retention. Critical race theory and Tinto’s model for student departure provided theoretical framework for this study. In addition, a review of campus climate and the Black student college experience are included in the literature review. An adaption of Seidman’s (2019) three-interview series, or a semi-structured interview approach, was used to collect data from the participants. Using the research questions as a guide, the results of the study revealed that students enjoyed the opportunity to learn how to navigate through a diverse environment at a PWI and they learned to manage perceived racist behaviors by changing their perceptions. In addition, targeted programs for minorities, such as AAMI, proved to be a great network for support as students acclimated to college. Lastly, mindset was explored as an emerging theme. In addition to networks of support, mindset was shared as a reason that these students returned to this institution, and that the racial climate was not a factor. Evidence from the study provided a better understanding of the Black student experience at a PWI from the perspective of African-American male students. As a result, decision-makers may be better equipped to manage engagement and retention, especially for students of color. Keywords: African-American college students, Black male students, racial climate, student engagement, retention	en_US
dc.description.tableofcontents	CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION 1 -- Purpose and Significance of the Study 3 -- Research Design 4 -- Conceptual Framework 5 -- Personal Identity and Positionality 7 -- Exploratory Studies 9 -- William’s Story 9 -- Ashley’s Story 10 -- Definition of Terms 12 -- CHAPTER II: LITERATURE REVIEW 14 -- Theoretical Framework 14 -- Critical Race Theory 15 -- Tinto’s Student Departure Theory 17 -- How Climate Change Affects Diversity 20 -- The College Experience of Black Males Matter 23 -- The African-American Male Initiative 24 -- The Side Effects of the College Experience for African-American Students 28 -- The Importance of Mindset 28 -- Sense of Belonging and the African-American College Experience 31 -- How Student Engagement Transforms Lives 32 -- Conclusion… 36 -- CHAPTER III: METHODS 38 -- Research Design… 38 -- Research Goals and Questions 39 -- Setting 40 -- Participants 41 -- Data Collection 43 -- Data Analysis 44 -- Validity 45 -- Research Ethics 47 -- Conclusion… 48 -- CHAPTER IV: RESULTS 49 -- Research Design and Questions 50 -- Data Collection 50 -- Data Analysis 51 -- Profiles of the Participants 52 -- Kelvin… 52 -- Tyler 54 -- Nathan 55 -- Trevor 56 -- David 58 -- Michael 59 -- Research Results 61 -- A Contemporary View on Race 62 -- Dealing with Racially Motivated Interactions 64 -- Programming with a Purpose 68 -- Kelvin… 68 -- Tyler… 70 -- Nathan… 71 -- Trevor… 72 -- David… 73 -- Michael 74 -- Other Campus Programming 75 -- Networks of Support 77 -- The Perception of Racial Climate from African-American Male College Students 81 -- The Story of a Small College Town… 83 -- The Choice to Return… 8. 5 -- Emerging Themes 89 -- Mindset 90 -- Michael 90 -- Tyler… 92 -- David… 94 -- Trevor… 96 -- Nathan… 96 -- Kelvin… 97 -- Diversity Matters 100 -- Peer Mentorship 102 -- Simultaneous Incubation… 105 -- Conclusion… 108 -- CHAPTER V: DISCUSSION 109 -- Background and Purpose 109 -- Research Design and Questions 111 -- Data Collection and Analysis 111 -- Results of the Research Study 112 -- Racial Identity and the College Experience 112 -- Programming and Networks of Support 116 -- Racial Climate and its Effect on Retention 120 -- Summary of Emerging Themes 123 -- Limitations of the Study 126 -- Future Research Recommendations 127 -- Research Question Results and Emerging Themes 129 -- Conclusion… 131 -- REFERENCES 133 -- APPENDIX A: Statistics from Campton State University 142 -- APPENDIX B: Institutional Review Board (IRB) Report 144 -- APPENDIX C: Messages to Participants, Research Flyer, and Statement of Consent 146 -- APPENDIX D: Virtual Background Used for Interviews 150 -- APPENDIX E: Interview Guide 152 -- APPENDIX F: Emerging Themes 155	en_US
dc.format.extent	1 electronic document and derivatives, 173 pages. 1151436 bytes.	en_US
dc.format.mimetype	application/pdf	en_US
dc.language.iso	en_US	en_US
dc.rights	This dissertation is protected by the Copyright Laws of the United States (Public Law 94-553, revised in 1976). Consistent with fair use as defined in the Copyright Laws, brief quotations from this material are allowed with proper acknowledgement. Use of the materials for financial gain with the author's expressed written permissions is not allowed.	en_US
dc.subject	Dissertations, Academic--United States	en_US
dc.subject	African American college students	en_US
dc.subject	Racism	en_US
dc.subject	Critical race theory	en_US
dc.subject	College dropouts--Prevention	en_US
dc.title	Exploring the Experiences and Retention Decisions of African-American Male College Students	en_US
dc.type	Dissertation	en_US
dc.contributor.department	Department of Leadership, Technology, and Workforce Development of the James L. and Dorothy H. Dewar College of Education & Human Resources	en_US
dc.description.advisor	Archibald, James
dc.description.committee	Workman, Jamie
dc.description.committee	Mammadov, Sakhavat
dc.description.degree	Ed.D.	en_US
dc.description.major	Education in Leadership	en_US