Black men: a case study of community college retention and graduation.

• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2047/d20004988

This interpretive case study sought to understand how Black men persisted to graduation at Lakeview College, a large, public community college in a suburban setting in the United States. Three research questions were investigated through student focus groups, graduate interviews, and field observations: (1) What barriers to persistence did Black, male students at Lakeview College encounter? (2) How did Black, male students overcome these barriers to persistence? (3) How did Lakeview College support the persistence of Black, male students? Data was analyzed using an inductive method that began with open coding, then using constant comparison transitioned to axial coding. Findings revealed the challenges participants experienced integrating into college courses, navigating the college system, waging the battle within, and balancing multiple roles. Participants overcame these barriers by finding their motivation, developing an understanding of college, and building a support system. Lakeview College supported these students by creating a creating a positive social environment, enabling academic learning and growth, going the extra mile, and nurturing student success. The findings led to four conclusions. (1) Black men must come to a complete understanding of academic expectations and processes to persist to graduation. (2) The persistence of Black men requires that they successfully navigate a confluence of life events and experiences. (3) Taking initiative is important for persistence of Black men. (4) Relationships built both on campus and off campus are critical to the persistence of Black men to graduation.