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Spirituality And Academic Success: Perceptions Of Black Males In The Community College, J. Luke Wood

J. Luke Wood

This article presents findings from a qualitative study of academic success factors affecting African American male students in the community college. In-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 28 African American male students at a Southwestern community college. Findings illustrated that spirituality was a positive factor affecting academic success for some participants. Students responses indicated several ways in which their academic success was supported: (1) spirituality served as a confidant, an entity with whom students could dialogue about issues; (2) spirituality served as inspiration for excellence, the pursuit of which was espoused as an important religious virtue; (3) spirituality provided life …