Dissertation
The freedom ain't getting no closer: a narrative study on the experiences of formerly incarcerated Black male (FIBM) community college students earning a college degree
Doctor of Education (Ed.D.), Drexel University
Jun 2026
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00011401
Abstract
The United States (U.S.) has the highest incarceration rate in the world, with an estimated 2.2 million individuals in jails or prisons. Black men are disproportionately represented among the incarcerated; at just 13% of the total population, Black men are roughly 35% of the incarcerated population. While 95% of those incarcerated will be released, recidivism is all too common. When formerly incarcerated Black males (FIBM) reintegrate into society, many experience challenges obtaining employment, social services, housing, and education. FIBM students commonly gravitate towards community colleges to pursue a degree because of their convenience and open admissions processes. Even at these institutions, FIBM students face a landscape of barriers that jeopardize their continued enrollment and graduation. The purpose of this narrative study was to explore the stories of FIBM students about their experience pursuing a community college degree. The study aimed to inform community college leaders, faculty, and professional personnel about the obstacles FIBM students face and the resources and support they need to graduate with a college degree at a community college. The study employed the African American Male Theory (Bush, 2013), which rejects deficit perspectives of Black males and embraces an ecological perspective of their experiences. The research questions that guided the study were: 1. What stories do FIBM students share about their educational experiences growing up? 2. How do FIBM students describe their community college experiences? 3. What supports help FIBM students persist in community college? The researcher conducted semi-structured and restorying interviews with four FIBM students from community colleges in the Northeast region of the U.S. Analysis revealed findings that FIBM students at community colleges need connection to staff, tools for success, and to feel a sense of belonging on campus. Also, it is important to acknowledge that the college setting might unintentionally trigger past traumas, causing considerable emotional and cognitive difficulties that could prevent a student's academic progression. Based on the findings, the researcher offered recommendations for both policy and practice. Keywords: formerly incarcerated Black male (FIBM), community college, narrative inquiry
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Details
- Title
- The freedom ain't getting no closer
- Creators
- Renee Henton
- Contributors
- Deanna Hill (Advisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Doctor of Education (Ed.D.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University
- Number of pages
- x, 120 pages
- Resource Type
- Dissertation
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- School of Education (1997-2026); Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 991022188475104721