Introduction Student engagement is a major component of higher education. One of the benefits of attending college is that students gain the ability to become well-rounded, cultural, and good leaders. There is a constant push to ensure that students are more involved in the clubs and organizations. According to Astin’s Theory of Involvement, students need to be actively engaged in their surroundings in order to learn and cultivate in college (Evans, Forney, and Guido-DiBrito, 1998). President Barack Obama’s administration call for open access for everyone in higher education, has led to an increase of minorities attending college. According to the American Association of Community Colleges, “Community colleges are the gateway to postsecondary education for many minorities, low income, and first-generation postsecondary education students” (www.aacc.edu). Mid-Atlantic Community College located in the state of Maryland is a minority-majority institution. The minority population makes up over 60% of the population however; the completion rates for minority students are under 20%. Research indicate that “students from historically under-represented backgrounds that attend community colleges are …show more content…
According to Astin’s Theory of Involvement, students need to be actively engaged in their surroundings in order to learn and cultivate in college (Evans, Forney, and Guido-DiBrito, 1998). This study examines the dependent variable (academic success as define by a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA)) and the independent variable (participation in culturally based clubs and organizations.) in order to identify if student’s participation in culturally based clubs and organizations at community colleges equates to academic
“College campuses are not dominated by widespread racial/ethnic segregation and the racial/ethnic clustering that does occur isn’t impeding intergroup contact.” (578, Hoeffner and Hoeffner). Throughout the essay, the writer continues to provide facts and sources on the information that diversity is not a problem on college campuses. She quotes evidence that states that college students are getting a “variety of positive educational outcomes that result from being educated in a diverse environment.” (578, Hoeffner and Hoeffner).
Race can be a factor in obtaining a college degree. Some minorities, especially Hispanics and African Americans, are at greater risk of not obtaining a college degree (O’Keefe, 2013). The Department of Curriculum and Instruction created the Recruitment and Retention of Minority Students Committee (RRMSC) in the spring of 2000 to evaluate methods for the recruitment and retention of minority students. Minorities identified were African American, Afro-Caribbean, Asian/Pacific Islander, Hispanic/Latino and Native American (Hobson-Horton & Owens, 2004).
I’m currently enrolled in Montgomery College, located in Maryland. Montgomery College is a community college. Community colleges are different in comparison to four-year universities. I had a choice of either getting a job or going to college. There are many reasons why I choose to go to Montgomery College. I chose to go to college because I want to pursue a degree in Psychology. When choosing a college, there are a lot of decisions to make and you have to choose what’s best in your interest. In today’s society, community colleges take up a lot of the students going to pursue their education. President Obama has proposed to make all community colleges free for all Americans and I agree with this statement. People have different perspectives
Affirmative action has been a controversial topic ever since it was established in the 1960s to right past wrongs against minority groups, such as African Americans, Hispanics, and women. The goal of affirmative action is to integrate minorities into public institutions, like universities, who have historically been discriminated against in such environments. Proponents claim that it is necessary in order to give minorities representation in these institutions, while opponents say that it is reverse discrimination. Newsweek has a story on this same debate which has hit the nation spotlight once more with a case being brought against the University of Michigan by some white students who claimed that the University’s admissions policies accepted minority students over them, even though they had better grades than the minority students. William Symonds of Business Week, however, thinks that it does not really matter. He claims that minority status is more or less irrelevant in college admissions and that class is the determining factor.
For centuries African Americans have fought for equal rights, one of them being an opportunity for the chance to get an equal education. Many people believe that African Americans have an equal or better chance at getting an education than other students. This is not the case when in fact, it is actually harder for these three reasons: African American students tend to come from harsh, poverty stricken atmospheres. Shattered family lifestyles that make it difficult to pursue a higher education because they have not received the proper information. Secondly, just because African Americans are minorities does not mean that they receive a vast amount of government assistance or financial aid to pursue a higher education. Lastly, African American students do not receive the same treatment as other students when they attend predominantly white colleges and universities.
Clearly, HBCUs provide several benefits to African-American students. Not only have they helped to combat the cycle of discrimination that minority students experienced before the civil rights initiatives of the 1960s, but they strive to provide a warm, supportive and inclusive academic environment that addresses African-American college students as a whole person. Additionally, HBCUs are increasing their efforts to ensure that higher education is accessible, affordable and achievable for individuals with unique socioeconomic challenges. Despite obstacles, historically Black institutions will continue to play a vital and significant role in the fabric of higher education.
Next year, as I embark my first year at university, I hope to fully integrate myself into the community by getting involved in the Students' Union, joining the cheer team, volunteering where I can and making many new friends along the way. At university, I hope to maintain a high grade point average, granted that my education is extremely important to me and that I am extremely ambitious about achieving my goals.Therefore, I will commit lots of my time to my studies in hopes of being a successful student. Nevertheless, I am still looking forward to being a part of the community by devoting my extra time to helping those around me. In classes, I intend on being an active learner, a respectful student, and a helpful classmate; someone who is always willing to lend a hand to others. Through engaging in my community, I hope to bring joy to others around me by spending my time supporting local events, volunteering for fundraisers, and helping plan and organize campus activities.
As a result of HBCU’s being predominantly black, many people refer to HBCU’s as a waste of time. Many people say that they do not prepare you for the real world. They argue that HBCU’s are not preparing you to face what life will throw at you. For Example, if you were the minority or if you were facing something you’ve never experienced. I can completely understand why they would believe that. The majority of students are African American but HBCU’s are very open to accepting anyone no matter what their race or ethnicity. Every student that attends a HBCU leaves with confidence, knowledge, and power to overcom...
Minorities are a growing segment of the population. However, this group continues to be underrepresented in the area of post secondary education. Obtaining an advanced degree remains a likely predictor of future career success. The problem facing the minority student is that barriers persist which continue to hinder enrollment, retention, and graduation rates in institutions of higher education. These barriers must be identified and examined and solutions offered if college completion rates are to be increased for this population.
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In 2006, an article was published by three doctoral students, (Tricia Seifert, Jerri Drummond, and Ernest Pascarella) at the University of Iowa, highlighting a research study undergone by the three concerning the role of institutional types, with emphasis on historically black colleges (HBC’s) in African-American students’ experiences. The findings, as published in the Journal of College Student Development showed that students who attend HBC’s report greater levels of good practices than their peers at other institutions of higher education. These findings suggested a greater emphasis on the teaching of students, as defined by the mission statements of these particular institutions.
SAT participation among Montgomery County schools' 2010 minority graduates drops. Retrieved from: http://www.cds.org/item/cds http://www.gazette.net/stories/09222010/montsch231827_32535.php The Journal of Blacks in Higher Education. (2006).Black Student College Graduation Rates Remain Low, But Modest Progress Begins to Show. Retrieved from: http://www.jbhe.com/features/50_blackstudent_gradrates.html.
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