Exploring Factors that impact the Persistence of Black Male Students at Nashville State Community College
Coleman, Latesia
Degrafinreid II, Alfred
:
2024-05
Abstract
This study explores the factors associated with the persistence of Black males at Nashville State Community College by examining the relationships between student engagement, college GPA, and persistence using longitudinal retrospective data for students attending 7 campuses across Nashville, TN (n=14,161). Data sources also include student-level information from the most recent Community College Survey of Student Engagement, Focus Groups with Black male students on two campuses, and surveys administered to Black males during the Fall 2023 semester. The findings indicate that Environmental Pull (Financial Concerns), Academic Integration, and Pre-College Skills (Academic Achievement) were the primary factors of concern impacting the persistence of Black male students at Nashville State Community College. The data collected and extant research suggest that career development/exploration, heightened engagement, and community collective impact strategies can lead to compensatory effects for Black male students.