Date of Award

2022

Degree Name

Leadership Studies

College

College of Education and Professional Development

Type of Degree

Ed.D.

Document Type

Dissertation

First Advisor

Dr. Charles Bethel, Committee Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr. R. Charles Byers

Third Advisor

Dr. Jessica Hanna

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Tom Hisiro

Abstract

With respect to studies examining Black students at predominately White historically Black colleges or universities (HBCU), very little data exists; therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the specific benefits to Black and White students attending an HBCU (i.e., academic adjustment, social adjustment, personal-emotional adjustment, and attachment to the institution) also accrue to those students whose HBCU is predominantly White. When comparing Black and White students, no research has been conducted on whether the benefits of attending an HBCU, for Black or White students, also accrue if the HBCU’s student population is majority White. To conduct this nonexperimental and descriptive study, the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) was used. This instrument was distributed to approximately 1,100 West Virginia State University (WVSU) full-time students during the 2021 spring semester at WVSU via campus email. The research shows Black students at West Virginia State University (WVSU) are academically adjusting better to college than White students; however, White students are adjusting better socially and personally. According to the data, White students also have a stronger sense of attachment to WVSU; however, the cause for these outcomes is inconclusive.

Subject(s)

African American universities and colleges – West Virginia.

Student adjustment – West Virginia.

West Virginia State University.

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