Rural, African American, and Invisible: College Aspirations in Black and White

• In Event: Race and Place in Black Education

Abstract

Rural African American students have similar college aspirations, yet represent significantly lower college attendance, matriculation, and attrition rates, as compared to students from White, suburban or urban, and middle class or high-income earning households. This multiple underrepresented or triple marginalized group of students encounters several barriers to equal participation in college enrollment. This research examined the habitus and cultural capital factors that influences rural, African American students’ college aspirations and identified strategies for educational administrators, teachers, counselors, and policy makers to support increasing the students’ college attrition.

Authors

• Cara Gafford, Bowie State University

• Janeula M. Burt, Bowie State University