Dissertation
Exploring the social engagement of first-year, first-generation college students at a non-urban HBCU in the Southeastern United States: a phenomenological study
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2021
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00000338
Abstract
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) serve a disproportionate number of first-generation students who are less likely than their counterparts to persist to graduation. One way they are working to retain first-generation students is through social engagement. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to explore the social engagement of first-year, first-generation college students attending a non-urban Historically Black College and University (HBCU) in the Southeastern United States that the researcher gave the pseudonym Xavier State University (XSU). The primary research question of this phenomenological study was: What are the lived experiences of first-year, first-generation college students socially integrating into a non-urban HBCU in the Southeastern United States? The following three sub questions guided the inquiry: 1) What do first-year, first-generation students perceive as the opportunities and the challenges for their own social integration? 2) What are first-year, first-generation students' perceptions of how the institution's geographic location in a non-urban community influences their social integration? 3) What are first-year, first-generation students' perceptions of how the institution supports them in socially integrating into the campus environment? The researcher conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with six first-year, first-generation students at XSU. Through the interviews, the researcher gathered rich data to provide thick descriptions of their lived experiences at XSU. Three themes with multiple sub-themes emerged: 1) Selection of XSU; 2) XSU Programming; and 3) Social Supports. The study produced four results: (a) students select XSU because it is affordable, close to home, and small with small class sizes; (b) students' have limited knowledge of and interaction with the TRIO program; (c) students are engaged in social activities on campus; and (d) students' peers and staff help them socially integrate into the campus environment... Based on the findings, recommendations for practice and for future research are offered.
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Details
- Title
- Exploring the social engagement of first-year, first-generation college students at a non-urban HBCU in the Southeastern United States
- Creators
- Trina Gregory
- Contributors
- Deanna Hill (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Number of pages
- 128 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991014961549404721