BOSTON — In a qualitative study examining the lives of 20 collegiate Black males, Iowa State University graduate student researchers determined the six reasons why Black males struggle at predominately White institutions: isolation, the lack of positive images, the lack of preparation, financial factors, the lack of mentors and pride.
Terrance Frazier and fellow graduate students John Gardner, Gia Mason and Noreen Siddiqui presented their findings at the NASPA – Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education conference this week. One participant of the Frazier’s 20-member focus group said, “Black men learn from other Black men. An [institution’s] greatest asset is other Black men.”
Another said, “It is not being broadcast that a lot of [Black men] are successful, so it kind of looks like we’re not successful.”
Efforts to address the growing number of Black male college dropouts in higher education have increased in popularity in recent years. In 2005, the nationwide graduation rate of Black students was 40 percent, compared to 61 percent for White students.
“Many students are first-generation students, they work part-time jobs, they’re coming from underfunded public schools, they’re leaving familiar surroundings and immersing themselves in a culture that is unfamiliar, where the majority of people do not look like them. Schools can sometimes be hostile environments,” Frazier said.
For university officials seeking solutions to combat the low number of Black men graduating from college and create more inclusive environments, researchers presented a hypothetical template to address the reasons given by study participants explaining why Black males were failing. The faux program was called Men of Nia, nia being Swahili for purpose.
To build a stronger connection between the Blacks on campus, the program first seeks to instill a sense of purpose in students. “We encourage the men to find purpose with in their academic fields to reinforce their connection to the school,” Gardner said.
