Faring better or worse: A quantitative analysis of student success outcomes of the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at Eastern Michigan University

<p>Intergenerational poverty is a problem of immense concern within the African American community, where approximately 32% of children under the age of 18 reside in impoverished conditions. Although acquisition of a college degree is the sole determining factor most influential for social mobility of families in the lowest income bracket, only 10.13% of total degrees conferred in 2015-2016 were to African American students. Additionally, being first-generation and low-income, stressors are intensified and perpetuate cessation of enrollment in postsecondary studies. Utilizing a non-randomized sample, a causal comparative/quasi experimental analysis was conducted to evaluate whether African Americans, or students from low-income and first-generation families, had higher grade point averages, rates of retention, or degree attainment as members of the Eastern Michigan University Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program compared to peers who lacked program affiliation. Data showed no statistically significant differences in GPA or persistence in students who fit the sample criteria. However, a significant difference in undergraduate degree attainment was demonstrated in members of the Eastern Michigan University Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Teacher Education

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Brown, Kimberly J.

Contributors dc:contributor

• Toni Stokes Jones, Ph.D.
• Wendy Burke, Ph.D.
• Heather Neff, Ph.D.

• African American
• First Generation and Low Income
• Post-Secondary Student Success Outcomes
• Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
• Higher Education
• Higher Education Administration

Repository record dc:identifier

https://commons.emich.edu/theses/1042

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:commons.emich.edu:theses-2406