How Do Black Men Succeed in College?

A new report from the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education at the Graduate School of Education at the University of Pennsylvania provides case study data of Black men who have succeeded in higher education in an effort to show a pathway for others.

Shaun R. Harper, director of the Center for the Study of Race and Equity in Education conducted interviews with 219 Black male students at 42 colleges and universities in 20 states. Some of the institutions were highly selective. Others were not. Black men at both predominantly Black and predominantly White institutions were included.  Some common experiences shared by the successful Black men were a strong family commitment to higher education and a teacher who had mentored them during their K-12 years.

“The most surprising finding was also the most disappointing finding,” according to Professor Harper.

“Nearly every student we interviewed said it was the first time that someone had sat him down and asked how he had successfully navigated his way to and through higher education, what compelled him to be engaged and what he learned that could help improve achievement and engagement among Black male collegians.”

Dr. Harper is a graduate of Albany State University in Georgia. He earned a doctorate in higher education from Indiana University.

The report, entitled Black Male Student Success in Higher Education: A Report from the National Black Male College Achievement Study, can be downloaded here.