Student Perceptions of Communication Skills and Styles at a Predominately White University
One of the greatest issues currently facing higher education is minority enrollment and retention. The literature has attributed several factors to differences between Black and White students' involvement in and completion of higher education such as socioeconomic status, motivation, and previous academic experience; however, thus far no known studies have included communication. This study broadly explored communication skills as a potential factor influencing retention rates in higher education. Using mixed methodology, Black and White undergraduate students at a predominately White university were asked to provide self perceptions of high school and college communication skills and styles. Findings revealed no significant differences between Black and White students' perceptions of their communication personality or communication skills in high school or college, no significant differences between freshmen and sophomores' communication skills in high school or college, and no differences between the perceptions of students of parents with more or less education. All students reported that they were unprepared for the academic demands of college. Implications for future research are discussed.
University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign
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University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign