An analysis of the factors affecting African American student persistence at a Vanguard Learning College
Abstract
This study examined the experiences of African American students who
attend a Vanguard Learning College and persisted toward their educational goals
at this particular college. African American students are often among the largest
minority populations on community college campuses, yet research literature
shows that historically, the persistence rates of these students are among the lowest
of all ethnic groups nationally. A number of studies reveal that the lack of
financial resources, hostile institutional climate and failure to integrate into the
social and academic environment of the college are among the factors that have an
adverse impact on the persistence of African American students in their attempts
to remain in college and pursue their academic goals. Although African American
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student persistence has been a subject of growing concern in higher education,
little research exists that goes beyond enrollment and retention trends of this
group. Thus, this study was important in that it explored the personal and
institutional factors that African American students who attended Moraine Valley
Community College identified as aiding in their persistence. Knowledge about the
factors that affect the persistence of African American students is needed to assist
community college leaders with designing and implementing programs and
practices that will lead to the success of these students.
The factors that the participants perceived as contributors to their
persistence were analyzed and attention has been given to the impact that the
principles of the learning college have had on the participants’ persistence.
Qualitative methods have been employed to collect and analyze the data.
Naturalistic, phenomenological and symbolic interactionist approaches have
been utilized to explore the attitudes, experiences and perceptions of participants
related to their persistence at a Moraine Valley Community College, a Vanguard
Learning College.
This study revealed that the factors contributing to the student
participants’ persistence at Moraine Valley Community College are:
1) Access to college resources,
2) Campus climate,
3) Interaction with faculty and staff,
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4) Inner determination, and
5) Family.
The principles of the learning college and participant perceptions of how
they relate to their persistence are also presented. This study offers
recommendations for practice and further research.
Department
Description
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