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Crossing Jordan: An Exploration Of Academic Optimism In The Schooling Experiences Of Low-Income African American Female Students And Their Perceptions Of Their Academic Lives, Cristal Nichols

Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations

This qualitative dissertation study explored the construct of academic optimism and its manifestation in the schooling lives of low-income, African American females who have obtained post-secondary educational status. The study also examined the facilitators and barriers the participants have encountered on their academic journeys towards the attainment of a fouryear college degree. The construct of academic optimism has previously been applied to schools and educators. This research explored the construct of academic optimism as it related to students, in this instance, low-income, African American female college students. The research study also explored what factors contributed to low-income, African American women’s …