1. The Black Diaspora in Higher Education: A Discussion of Methods for Engaging & Promoting Student Success among Black Male Students
Dr. LeRodrick Terry
Shorter University
Midwest Scholars Conference
Indianapolis, IN
March 4, 2011

2. Overview
1.Problem Statement
2.Existing Studies
3.Enrollment Rates
4.Graduation Rates
5.Est. Best Practices
6.Factors
7.Student Dev Theory
8.Implications
9.Recommendations
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3. Statement of Problem
Diaspora~ Any people forced or induced to leave; dispersal of people.
•Black Males in Higher Education
•Declining Enrollment & Retention Rates
•Poor Graduation Rates
•Best Practices: Academic Support?
•Student Satisfaction & Student Success
•Societal Implications
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4. Existing Studies
•HBCU vs. PWI
•Underrepresented in Adult Education
•Black Males vs. Black Females
•Black Males vs. White Males
•Social Identity & Campus Environments
•The “Prison Boom”
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5. Enrollment & Graduation Rates
HBCU
•37% of total enrollment
•31% of total graduates
•150% of time since starting classes
Traditional
•4% of total enrollment
•3% of total graduates
•150% of time since starting classes
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6. Best Practices
•Campus Involvement
–Student organizations
–Fraternities/Greek Letter Org
–Inter-Collegiate Sports
•Support Systems
–Social (peers)
–Academic (instructors)
–Mentors
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7. FACTORS
•Hurdles for Minorities
–1stgeneration college students
–Financial
–Under-prepared
•Lack of Diversity
–Campus Culture
•Programming for Underrepresented Students
–Academic Support Services
–Counseling Services
–Remediation & Orientation for minority/at-risk
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8. RECOMMENDATIONS
•Pre-Assessments of Student Ability
–Non-Traditional
•Restructuring of Admissions Procedures
•Identifying predicators of student success
•Student Programming
•Diversity Initiatives
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9. Implications
•Enrollment Rates
•Attrition Rates
•Student Success
•Civil Rights Act
–Affirmative Action
–Cultural Pluralism & Diversity
•Idealism vs. Pragmatism?
–An “Educated” Society
–Goals of the Institution
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10. Questions?
Thank you for your participation