Degree Name

EdD (Doctor of Education)

Program

Educational Leadership

Date of Award

August 1999

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between the perceptions of successful African American sophomore students and their adjustment to academic success at predominantly White colleges and universities. Twenty African American sophomore females and twenty African American sophomore males from two predominantly White community colleges and two predominantly White universities participated in the study. Each subject completed a demographic survey and participated in an interview. Results indicated that both the attitudes of African American students toward education and their perceptions of the attitudes of those in the educational system towards African American students played an integral role in the academic success of these students. Conclusions of the study emphasized the need for predominantly White institutions of higher learning to provide support systems that will increase academic success. Nine recommendations were developed for institutions to implement for success for African American students. The review of literature and data presented in this study implies that African American students on predominantly White campuses experience academic success when in a supportive and inclusive environment.

Document Type

Dissertation - unrestricted

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