Revisiting the Impact of Historically Black Colleges and Universities for Black Americans: A Blinder-Oaxaca Decomposition of Engagement

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 1
  In Poster Session: Division J Poster Session: College Student Success

Abstract

Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) have been found to have a positive influence on the educational outcomes of Black undergraduates. However, many non-HBCUs have been working diligently to improve their campus climate for minority students, which may dilute the educational advantages HBCUs have been historically associated with for Black student. Thus, this study seeks to reinvestigate the effectiveness of PWIs and HBCUs on African American student engagement using Blinder (1973) and Oaxaca (1973) decomposition method. The results suggest that HBCUs still have a positive influence on student engagement for seniors, but the results are more nuanced for first-year students.

Authors

• Kevin Fosnacht, Indiana University

• Keeley Copridge, Frederick D. Patterson Research Institute