TULSA COMMUNITY COLLEGE Achieving the Dream Fall 2009 Student Focus Groups © 2010 Tulsa Community College Data Team

 AtD is a national, multi-year effort to help community college students succeed.  This effort focuses on student groups that face significant barriers to success, including students of color and low-income students.

TCC is working to increase the percentage of students who accomplish these five goals: 1.Successfully complete the courses students take; 2.Advance from remedial to credit-bearing courses; 3.Enroll in and successfully complete gatekeeper courses; 4.Enroll from one semester to the next; 5.Earn degrees and/or certificates.

Identify areas of weakness using quantitative data provided by Planning and Institutional Research. 1: What’s wrong? Conduct focus groups to identify the barriers/challenges faculty, staff, and students encounter. 2: Why is the problem happening?

Develop interventions based on the evidence. 3: Design & Implement Interventions Did the intervention work? How should the intervention be changed for greater success? 4: Assess the Impact of the Interventions

Quantitative data were analyzed for the fall 2008 cohort:  First-time African American male freshmen  109 African American male students

 College Readiness  Persistence Rate  Graduation Rate

From TCC Quick Facts

 The AtD Data Team investigated why many African American male students have difficulty at TCC.  The 2009 summer and fall student focus groups revealed the challenges and barriers AA male students face while enrolled at TCC.

 Seven focus groups  Total of 28 African American male students  Students were asked, “What barriers or challenges have you faced in being successful at TCC?”

110 barriers for African American male students were identified. (24 barriers) AA Male Experience (17 barriers) Institutional (69 barriers) Managing College Life and Goals

(24 barriers) AA Male Experience (17 barriers) Institutional (69 barriers) Managing College Life and Goals

Sub-Types of Managing College Life and Goals Number of Barriers Balancing School, Employment, and Life14 Adjusting to College10 Financial Management/Need10 Goals (academic, career, background)10 Academic Skills8 Motivation7 Time Management (including procrastination)5 Non-Traditional Student3 Fear of Failing1 Transportation1 Total69 Barriers

Managing College Goals and Life

These are common examples from the African American Male Student Focus Group Data – Fall 2009

TCC Alumni help students look for jobs More flexible classes Balancing School, Employment and Life Have support groups Provide more role models Control / improve quality of instructors Adjusting to College

(24 barriers) AA Male Experience (17 barriers) Institutional (69 barriers) Managing College Life and Goals

Barrier Subtype Number of Barriers Negative Peer, Community, and Family Influences 12 Not seeing others of the same race/gender 6 Stereotyping6 Total24 Barriers

African American Male Experience

Advertising the need for education High School Recruiters These are common examples from the African American Male Student Focus Group Data – Fall 2009

Have family nights Show stats of college vs non-college Negative Peer, Community and Family Influences Recruit to black community Encourage other AA males to attend Not seeing others of same race/gender Open-minded advisors Bring TCC role models into community Stereotyping

(24 barriers) AA Male Experience (17 barriers) Institutional (69 barriers) Managing College Life and Goals

Barrier Subtype Number of Barriers College resources (navigating campuses; finding campus offices and services; mentoring programs) 16 Textbooks1 Total17 Barriers

Institutional Barriers

Advertising that math tutors are available Orientation Student Handbook These are common examples from the African American Male Student Focus Group Data – Fall 2009

Put African American male (employees) in FACET Center (and other learning labs) Interactive campus maps Encourage African American males to ask questions Show location of campus offices during orientation Better list of scholarships—more accessible College Resources

Barrier Sub-Types with Highest Frequencies  College Resources : 16 barriers Subtype of Institutional Barriers  Balancing School, Employment, and Life: 14 barriers Subtype of Managing College Life and Goals  Negative Peer, Community, and Family Influences : 12 barriers Subtype of African American Male Experience

 Report--African American Male Student Focus Group Report  PowerPoint--African American Male Students: Overcoming Barriers to Success at TCC  Quick Facts--AtD African American Male Student Quick Facts  Focus Group Matrix--African American Male First- Time Freshman: Focus Groups, COMBINED Summer and Fall, 2009

Please take a moment to reflect on what you’ve heard and complete your card. What do you make of the results you’ve heard, and what do you think we should do about it? Thank you!