Education Commons^™

Perceptions Of Family Support Among Students Of Color At A Predominantly White University, Dina C. Maramba, Robert T. Palmer

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

The challenge of facilitating the retention and persistence of students of color in higher education continues. While research has focused on internal factors of the college environment important to the success of students of color at predominantly White institutions (PWIs), this qualitative study examines an external factor—family support and its interconnectedness with the success and persistence of students of color. More specifically, the findings emphasize the importance of family support for this population attending PWIs. Implications for practice and future research are offered.

A Contemporary Examination Of Factors Promoting The Academic Success Of Minority Students At A Predominantly White University, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Dina C. Maramba, Phd, Sharon L. Holmes, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

Although the numbers of minority students are increasing in higher education, researchers remain concerned about the ability of predominantly White institutions (PWIs) to support and retain these students. Therefore, the purpose of this qualitative study was to explore factors promoting the academic success of minority students at a research intensive PWI. Four themes emerged including the impact of a) student involvement, b) faculty interaction, c) peer support, and c) self-accountability. While this study confirms research about minority students at PWIs, it also provides new insight and provokes questions that warrant further investigation. Implications for practice and research are discussed.

The Impact Of Family Support For African American Males At An Historically Black University: Affirming The Revision Of Tinto’S Theory, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Ryan J. Davis, Dina C. Maramba, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

This qualitative study of 11 Black male students, who entered a public historically Black college and university (HBCU) as academically underprepared and persisted to graduation, provides insight into the ways in which family promote academic success for Black male students at a public HBCU. The study’s findings encourage practitioners at HBCUs to reassess the relationship between family involvement and academic success for Black male students. Further, the findings affirm the justification to revise Tinto’s theory of student departure to account for relationships minority students have with support networks outside the campus milieu.

Perceptions Of Family Support Among Students Of Color At A Predominantly White University, Dina C. Maramba, Phd, Robert T. Palmer, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

No abstract provided.

Using A Tenet Of Critical Theory To Explain The African American Male Achievement Disparity, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Dina C. Maramba,Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

Although African Americans continue to demonstrate a desire for education, African American male enrollment and completion rates in higher education are dismal when compared to other ethnic groups. Researchers and scholars have noted various theories and philosophies responsible for the academic disengagement of African American males in higher education. This article will provide a new contextual lens for understanding the academic disengagement of African American males using a tenet of Critical Theory as a method to explain the African American male achievement disparity. Additionally, this research offers employable strategies and activities that may encourage African American male achievement.

A Matter Of Diversity, Equity And Necessity: The Tension Between Maryland's Higher Education System And Its Historically Black Institutions Over The Ocr Agreement, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Ryan J. Davis, Marybeth Gasman, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

Eighteen years after the Supreme Court rendered its decision in Fordice, many states have complied somewhat or not at all to its mandates. This has been particularly evident in Maryland, where the presidents of historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) are pressuring the state to fulfill its commitment with the Office of Civil Rights (OCR), stemming from Fordice, to make HBCUs comparable to their White peers. While Maryland has declared that it has complied with its OCR agreement by preventing unnecessary program duplication between HBCUs and White institutions, investing more money into HBCUs, and increasing racial diversity on all of …

“Cool Posing” On Campus: A Qualitative Study Of Masculinities And Gender Expression Among Black Men At A Private Research Institution., Frank Harris Iii, Robert T. Palmer, Laura E. Struve

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

Using theories and concepts relating to the social construction of Black masculinity and male gender role conflict, the authors explored contextualized meanings of masculinities and corresponding behavioral expressions among 22 Black men enrolled at a private research university. The concepts of toughness, aggressiveness, material wealth, restrictive emotionality, and responsibility underscored the meanings the participants ascribed to masculinities. Participants expressed these concepts behaviorally through their pursuit of leadership and academic success, homophobia, and the fear of femininity, and through the sexist and constrained relationships they experienced with women. Based on the findings, practical implications for supporting the gender identity development and …

A Qualitative Investigation Of Factors Promoting The Retention And Persistence Of Students Of Color In Stem, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Dina C. Maramba, Phd, T. Elon Dancy, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD

While the literature on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is abound with the importance of increasing college access, retention, and persistence among students because of its implications for America’s global competitiveness, particular emphasis has been placed on students of color. Notwithstanding, students of color remain underrepresented in STEM education. Therefore, increasing access, retention, and persistence for students of color in STEM is not merely a matter of United States’ economic competitiveness, but also a matter of equity. Using in-depth interview methods, this article delineates factors facilitating the retention and persistence of students of color in STEM education at a …

Racial And Ethnic Minority Students' Success In Stem Education, Samuel Museus, Phd, Robert T. Palmer, Phd, Ryan J. Davis, Dina C. Maramba, Phd

Robert T. Palmer, PhD