Culturally-Based Clubs And Organizations

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) are experiencing low retention rates with first generation college students. The students are not graduating within a four to six year enrollment period, and or are not returning after their freshmen year. As the American workforce looks to colleges and universities to fulfill the workforce pipeline with educated diverse workers, HBCUs are in the spotlight to produce qualified minority graduates. Moreover, HBCU’s are looking to refine their methods of inclusion and buy-in, this will in-turn manifest a higher level of retention amongst first generation college students.

African American students enrolling in HBCUs experience better outcomes such as general satisfaction with their experience, higher grade, psychological adjustments, etc than those African American students enrolling in PWIs while Whites attending PWIs experience better outcomes such as higher grade, psychological adjustments than those white students attending in HBCUs. African American students found more comfortable and friendly environment at HBCUs while White students found more comfortable and friendly environment at PWIs. Students attending in HBCUs seems to be more satisfied with college experience because of their involvement on Colleges/Universities compared to those students attending in PWIs. African American students attending HBCUs wanted just to complete their degree as compared to students attending PWIs. White students wanted to read more as compared to African American students. In the context of educating African Americans in Specific field, HBCUs became more successful in providing access and retaining students through graduation compared to PWIs. Students attending HBCU has outcomes like tutoring other students, higher GPAs, gradating with honors, and

While L, Patton; B, Bridges; L, Flowers’s 2011 article EFFECTS OF GREEK AFFILIATION ON AFRICAN AMERICAN STUDENTS' ENGAGEMENT, discusses that African American organizations presence on campus. Have exposed great leadership, entrepreneurship, encouraged academic achievement and promoted community service. The organizations, believe that if their

The lack of engagement of Black alumni at PWIs may be caused by the campus environment that Black alumni experienced while attending as students. Prior research has shown that alumni who have had positive undergraduate experiences and strong feelings about their alma mater are more likely to donate and/ or participate in alumni events. Gaier (2005) notes that students have a higher rate of satisfaction when cultivating positive relationships with faculty and are more inclined to give back to their institution in the form of time and donations as alumni. Clotfelter (2003) conducted a study that shows that alumni satisfaction is linked to the particular types of experiences that alumni had while on campus as students.

Minorities are a growing segment of the population. However, this group continues to be underrepresented in the area of post secondary education. Obtaining an advanced degree remains a likely predictor of future career success. The problem facing the minority student is that barriers persist which continue to hinder enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in institutions of higher education. These barriers must be identified and examined and solutions offered if college completion rates are to be increased for this population.

Being an African American student in a college that is predominantly Caucasian can be a little intimidating. First, you are constantly busy with activities such as coursework, socializing with newly encountered students, and determining the most advantageous mode of communication with professors. While these activities consume considerable time, one must still contemplate extra-curricular activities that will optimize their academic declared field of study specifically; seeking and obtaining a professional internship at a prestigious organization or within a respectable cooperative education program. All these different actions require concentration; therefore, it is beneficial to be in a college that supports career planning and offers a diverse

Regardless of the type of institution, retention is one of the biggest issues that colleges encounter with the Hispanic/Latino population. The question has been posed for quite some time: What can colleges do to, not only keep these students on campus, but also to prepare them for the challenges they may face when transferring to a four-year school? Various programs on college campuses across the state of California have been implemented in the past couple of decades to help address this question. The existence of such programs, like Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), contribute to the academic success of the

However, the struggle for success is particularly small for many Black students. There are many aspects that come along with attending an HBCU. Many are falsely portrayed throughout media, but students either current or graduated from an HBCU can attest through their different experiences. African American students have gained knowledge, awareness, self-identity and much more. Many graduates that attended HBCU’s continue to support HBCU’s because of the experiences that the university has taught them in everyday life and also in their career. HBCU’s tend to produce African American students that enter the adult world with an understanding of who they are. Being confident about their place in society and eager to influence their peers and the world

Paul Blanchette had an interesting idea to increase enrollment into the program. He suggested we have a booth in a club rush activity or let the student’s part take in clubs on campus. If we are involved in a club gathering, we might be able to reach a student’s parent, brother or sister. If students were to get involved in club activities, it could motivate them to want to be part of the college and attend class. If a student stopped attending, they would normally be dropped from the class and therefore not meet the qualifications of being a student, and participating in

Many programs are targeted to support members of minority, low income, disabled, or first generation students (Kezar, 2000). The main focus of most programs is to give disadvantaged students the same chance of graduating as non-minority students (Ohland & Crockett, 2002). Several common factors play a role in impeding minority acclimation into the college environment, which include: a lack of academic preparation, a lack of peers with common characteristics, and financial need

Supporting the success for diverse students on campus is just the beginning to make their experience as equal to that of the white community. Without positive campus attitude and without the recognition of what diversity brings to a school and a classroom, the system would not thrive and those of a different ethnic background will not be inclined to attend. The conclusion to Espinosa’s, Gaertner, and Orfields article is that college and university leaders

Recently, Dr. Terry Echols- Program Director and Founder was recognized by Noel-Levitz for his outstanding commitment and success in the creation of the Minority Male Initiative. More institutions around the country have started to implement similar programs that focus on the success and retention of males of color including the creation of the Federal Title III Predominantly Black Institutions Grant which is currently offered at many community colleges. Retention, Graduation Rates and Academic Success are focus areas that should be addressed and improved, and the Minority Male Initiative provides a great model to research.

Very few studies focus on the limited engagement of Black alumni who graduate from PWIs. Even fewer offer suggestions as to how to increase this engagement. Black alumni are more likely to be engaged with the university when they have had positive undergraduate experiences (Gaier, 2005). These positive experiences are due to the relationships that were developed while they were students on campus. Newman and Petrosko (2011) describe it as a positive emotional attachment, which generates alumni loyalty.

The first two chapters of this book set the background for student development and how theory has evolved over the years. As time passed and college student demographics changed, new ideas and views were developed to understand the ever changing student body. Theorists realized that the college experience was different between demographic groups. Being able to develop student affairs practices and activities that can reach the different student groups is probably the biggest challenge a student affairs professional will tackle. It is said that student development is most achieved by involvement by the students. This means that these activities must be designed to accommodate students from all walks of life.

Many colleges and universities throughout the United States and several other countries face a common problem. Student retention is a growing problem across the nation for all ethnic groups and all ages. Each individual who chooses to drop out of school has their own personal reasons as to why they do. However, many drops out can be completely avoided. When students drop out they are not clearly thinking about how it’s going to affect their future, the future of their children and even grandchildren. Although there are several reasons as to why students drop out of school, we will be exploring a few as it relates to why student retention is a growing problem.