Date of Award

Spring 5-1-2008

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Mary Howard Hamilton

Second Advisor

Kandace Hinton

Third Advisor

Charlotte Reed

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the persistence strategies used by Black men attending a predominantly White institution (PWI), classified as sophomore, junior and senior. In order to determine these persistence strategies, a phenomenology qualitative research approach was selected. The selection of the participants of this study was accomplished utilizing network sampling. A total of six Black men participated. Interviews were conducted and 11 major themes were identified and are used to discuss the findings: I) time management: 2) get involved; 3) build a bond; 4) social networks; 5) communicate; 6) its not failure just determine what you did wrong; 7) focus; 8) enjoy the experience; 9) leadership; I 0) diversity; and 11) racism is alive but it should not determine your future. Each theme described the ways by which these six Black men are successfully matriculating through a predominantly White institution of higher education. The findings of the study are explained via commonalities the participants shared that assisted them during their academic journey: membership in campus organizations, self-belief, and focused world view. The last commonality was not an aid these young Black men used but of significant interest: "'Where's the spirituality/religion?" An additional finding of the study was that the majority of the participants did not see financing their education as a stumbling block. The study was analyzed using Nigrescence (Cross, 1971) and Critical Race Theorist (Delgado & Stefancic, 2001) knses.

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