Factors Preventing African American Males From Attending Four-Year Universities Chandler Wilkins Dr. Francis Owusu, Faculty Mentor Department of City and Regional Planning Look at STAT report for this presentation Look at final write up Change Mcnair Program twice

Background Information A survey was distributed to African-American male students at Olympic High School in Charlotte, North Carolina to determine which factor played a larger role. My research showed that societal factors played a larger role in the male’s decisions to attend or not attend a four-year university. I had six friends in high school, all except one wanted to attend a four-year university Post-graduation Two attend a four-year university Three work full time One started an associate’s degree, but did not finish and now works full time

What is preventing students from attending four-year universities?

Research Question Are societal factors or individual attributes more influential in shaping African American male's decisions to attend a four-year university?

Societal Factors vs. Individual Attributes Influences that are outside the control of individual students Example: the amount of resources offered by the high school, availability of family financial support for college, etc.)

Societal Factors vs. Individual Attributes Factors that encourage students to not attend college, but pursue other options Example: joining the military service, opting to work, etc.

Methodology Created a Qualtrics survey Researched schools in North Carolina with high demographic of African American males Met with high school’s administrators Held an assembly to discuss survey with students Disseminated survey to African American, male, high school students Met with faculty to describe survey Held an assembly to discuss survey Disseminated to African American, high school males who attended a particular school at the larger high school in North Carolina

Methodology continued Survey assessed which factor was more influential Societal factors Individual Attributes Nine participants

Flow of Survey Generic demographic questions about the composition of household College attainment or nonattainment of family members What resources were available for participants Did participants plan on attending a university? Yes No

Example Questions for ‘Yes’ Respondents Which steps have you taken to prepare for college? (Mark all that apply) How well prepared do you feel for college? What factors were the most helpful when deciding to attend college? (Mark all that apply) What could have been done better to prepare you for college?

Example Questions for ‘No’ Respondents What are your post-graduation plans? What made you choose that option? Have you ever thought about attending college, why or why not? What could have been done better at your high school as far as supporting students?

Results My research showed that societal factors were more influential in African American male’s decisions to attend or not attend a four-year university. Societal Factors broken into: Community Family

Community Positive Supportive College preparation and mentorship programs were helpful Negative Students were unaware of the opportunities offered to them Lack of mentorship Limited access to resources (i.e. libraries, churches, grocery stores, etc.)

Family Positive Supportive Negative Lack of support College was too expensive A few students could not attend a four-year university due to family obligations. Talk about story and the green sheets here after the last statement

Future Directions Survey a larger portion of students Find other methods of preparing students Example: more college preparation programs, mentoring programs, etc. Study the historical context of societal factors

Special Thanks Faculty Mentor Dr. Francis Owusu Iowa State University McNair Program Dr. Thelma Harding Dr. Ashley Garrin

Questions?

References Fitzgerald, Terence. "Control, Punish, and Conquer: U.S. Public Schools' Attempts to Control Black Males." Challenge 12.1 (2006): 38-54. Print. Garza, Kristopher K., Steve F. Bain, and Lori Kupczynski. "Resiliency, Self-Efficacy, and Persistence of College Seniors in Higher Education." Research in Higher Education Journal 26 (2014). Print. Grantham, Tarek C. "Multicultural Mentoring to Increase Black Male Representation in Gifted Programs." Gifted Child Quarterly 48.3 (2004): 232-45. Print. Lynn, Marvin, et al. "Examining Teachers' Beliefs About African American Male Students in a Low-Performing High School in an African American School District." 2010. 289-330. Vol. 112. Print.