Ivy League Bound: The Case of a Brilliant African American Male Mathematics Major

• In Event: 70.059 - Confident and Competent Black Males Doing STEM

Abstract

Studies reporting on African American male students’ mathematics experiences usually call attention to their lack of mathematics preparation for collegiate mathematics and/or the difficulties these students experience in collegiate mathematics courses broadly. This qualitative case study, however, examines the academic experiences of an African American male mathematics major and highlights his successes. Findings indicate that he dealt with racism during his K–12 schooling practices; he did not complete high school in the traditional sense; he enrolled in college at the age of 16; and that he was an active participant in extracurricular mathematics activities in his mathematics department.

Author

• Christopher Charlie Jett, The University of West Georgia