A Qualitative Case Study of Factors That Influence the Social and Academic Integration of African American STEM Students

• In Event: Roundtable Session 51
  In Roundtable Session: Stemming the Tide: Promoting Success for Black Students in STEM

Abstract

This qualitative case study examined the experience of 25 African American students enrolled in a STEM degree at a state-funded urban university. The institution reports an 85% attrition rate for first generation African American STEM majors. Utilizing Tinto’s student integration model as an organizational framework several themes emerged to describe factors that influenced the process of students’ integration to college. Themes describing the process of academic integration include: The quality of the teaching and learning environment, relationships with the faculty, Inadequate preparation for challenging classes, Class size and frequency, and Academic advising. Themes describing the process of social integration emerged to include: Peer support, Student Organizations, and Mentoring.

Authors

• Yonghong Jade Xu, The University of Memphis

• Chloe Lancaster, University of Memphis