Chiến lược Tăng cường Giữ chân và Tốt nghiệp Sinh viên Da đen tại Đại học Central Florida

National Louis University Digital Commons@NLU Dissertations 6-2021 Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida Carla Sorrells Morris National Louis University Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.edu/diss Part of the Higher Education Commons Recommended Citation Morris, Carla Sorrells, "Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida" (2021).edu/diss/586 This Dissertation - Public Access is brought to you for free and open access by Digital Commons@NLU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Digital Commons@NLU. For more information, please contact digitalcommons@nl. UCF Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida By Carla Sorrells Morris B.

Speech Communications and Theatre, May 1988, Tennessee State University M. Curriculum Instruction and Design, May 1989, Tennessee State University M. Business Administration, June 1992, Nova Southeastern University Ed. Higher Education Leadership, September 2019, National Louis University A Dissertation Submitted to The Faculty of Higher Education Leadership Of National Louis University In the partial fulfillment of the requirements For the degree of Doctor of Education March 24, 2021 Dissertation directed by: Dr.

Brian Hamluk Adjunct Professor National Louis University Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida Submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of Doctor of Education in the National College of Education National Louis University Carla Sorrells Morris Higher Education Leadership Approved: Dr. Brian Hamluk Chair, Capstone Committee Dr. Nathaniel Cradit, Program Director Dr. Elizabeth Minor, Capstone Committee 07/08/2021 Dr.

Amy Ellis, Capstone Committee Date Approved Dr. Nathaniel Cradit Capstone Committee ___________________________________ Dr. Robert Muller UCF Acknowledgments I want to express my sincerest gratitude to National Louis University (NLU) for paving the way for me to receive my doctorate in Higher Education Leadership: I want to thank the staff and students at the University of Central Florida, where I conducted my research. I wish to acknowledge NLU’s department chair, Dr.

Nathaniel Cradit, for his untiring leadership and direction and NLU’s professors who supported me throughout my journey. To my committee, Dr. Amy Ellis, Dr. Elizabeth Minor, and especially to Dr.

Brian Hamluk, my dissertation chair, and advisor. Hamluk was instrumental in my success at NLU by providing mentorship, direction, and guidance throughout the doctoral journey. I want to give all honor to God; without you, I am nothing and know that it is your will for me to fulfill my dream and fulfill a greater calling in providing scholarship and service to the next generation of students attending higher education institutions. Next, I want to personally thank my mother, Roslyn Page, who stood by me every step of the way throughout my journey.

I made it, Mom! And I stand at the helm of the dedication you shared as an administrator at the Historical Black College & University, Bethune Cookman University, and your legacy will continue to live. And to my sister Dr. Cheryl Sorrells who provided direct input and support throughout the research process. And to my 99-year-old, Grandma Ruth, who taught me, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And to the Hickory Avenue Church of God, Pastors James & Alfreda Turner.

And finally, to my family and special friends such as Peter Blount, who believed in me throughout the journey. And finally, I dedicate my entire research to my dad, the late Willie Calvin Sorrells, Sr. and my brother the late Willie Calvin “Bill” Sorrells, Jr. This project is for both of you, as educators you laid down your entire life to the uplifting of inner-city youth and urban education.

ii UCF Abstract of Dissertation Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida This study aims to expand the knowledge and understanding of retention and persistence opportunities for Black students at the University of Central Florida. Qualitative research and data were collected and analyzed on six minority students at UCF. The study discovered academic, social, and cultural factors that affect Black undergraduate students' retention, persistence, and graduation at the University of Central Florida. Analysis of the data revealed the need for minority students to access academic strategies and participate in intervention programs that aid Black students in succeeding and graduating from UCF.

While recruitment is an essential factor with minorities attending higher educational institutions- ensuring academic strategies and interventions are equally important in the success and graduation of minority students at UCF and American higher educational institutions. iii UCF Contents Acknowledgements. ii Abstract of Dissertation. iii List of Tables.

xi Chapter 1: Introduction. 6 Academic & Curricular Decisions. 9 Areas of Concern. 12 Institutional Decision-making .15 Characteristics of a Degree Granting Postsecondary Institution .15 Issues, Challenges & Success of Post-Secondary Institutions .16 State Roles in Higher Education .18 Financial & Budgetary Considerations .21 Fundraising & Philanthropic Giving.

22 Political & Governmental Factors. 23 Historical Legal Issues. 25 UCF: Legal Issues in Higher Education. 27 UCF: Enrollment & Competing Institutions.

32 iv UCF Section 3 .36 Student Affairs Functions. 34 UCF’s Student Body. 36 Co-Curriculum Student Experiences. 38 Faculty Leadership & Academic Freedom.

41 Organizational & Administrative Structures .43 Institutional Decision-making. 44 Weak Links: Functional Areas & Individuals. 45 Consideration of Human Factors within an Institution. 47 Proposed Research Question & Discussion.

48 Significance of the Study. 50 Gaps in the Knowledge the Study Addresses .51 Importance of Study to Stakeholders and the Field of Education .52 Chapter 2: Review of Literature .56 Section 1 Historical Overview of Black Students in Higher Education .56 The Emergence of Historical Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) in the United States .58 Black Students at Predominantly White Institutions. 59 Historical Trends of Retention and Persistence Strategies in Higher Education Institutions .61 Models of Retention .67 v UCF Gaps in Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Central Florida. 68 Section 3 Enrollment Strategies .68 Retention and Enrollment Strategies at UCF .73 Paradigm of Inquiry .74 Qualitative Research Design .74 Interview Research Design .75 Type of Interview Design .75 Exploratory Interview Design .76 Descriptive Interview Design .77 Recapitulation of Research Question .77 Population and Sample .77 Criterion Based Sampling Strategy .78 Participation Identification Process .79 Instrumentation and Data .79 Biographical Background Information .79 Semi-Structured Interviews .79 Justification of Semi-Structured Interviews.79 Design of the Interview Instruments .81 Preparing Transcripts for Analysis .81 vi UCF Data Organization .82 Data Analysis Within-Interview Analysis (Individual Interviews) .84 Illustrative displays of data: Concept Networks .84 Cross-Interview Analysis .84 Illustrative Displays of data: Matrices .84 Unique or Contradictory Coding .86 Elements of Triangulation utilized by the study .87 Limitations of a Triangulation Research Design .89 Human Participants and Ethical Consideration .90 vii UCF Chapter 4: Presentation of the Data.91 Profiles of Participants .91 Interview Data Analysis .92 What Academic Programs are in Place to Support Struggling Students .93 What are Some Challenges While Attending UCF.93 Share Some Successful Experiences While Attending UCF .94 What Recommendations Would You Suggest Regarding Academic Programs and Interventions for the Retention And Graduation of UCF Students .95 Emergence of Themes from Data Analysis .95 Interpersonal Success Skills (ISS) .96 Campus & Cultural Engagement (CCE) .97 Targeted Academic Social & Financial Support (TASFS) .98 Participant’s Recommendations on Academic Programs, Interventions & Support .101 Chapter 5 Interpretation, Recommendations, & Summary .102 Purpose of Study .102 Response to Research Question .102 viii UCF Research Question Overview .102 Findings Related to Literature .103 Interpersonal Success Skills (ISS) .104 Campus & Cultural Engagement (CCE) .104 Targeted Academic Social & Financial Support (TASFS) .108 Sample Size & Selection .109 Revisiting the Investigator’s Position & Potential Biases .110 Summary Regarding Credibility & Confirmability .111 Interpersonal Success Skills (ISS) .112 Campus & Cultural Engagement (CCE) .112 Targeted Academic Social & Financial Support (TASFS) .116 ix UCF Appendix A: State University Competitor’s Undergraduate Student Demographic Data .135 Appendix B: UCF’ Degree Programs .138 Appendix C: State University Competitor’s Undergraduate Student Demographic Data .142 Appendix D: Benefits of the Direct Connect Program .146 Appendix E: UCF Programs Listed Under Student Development and Enrollment Services (SDES) .148 Appendix F: Interview Protocol.156 Appendix G: Letter of Invitation .158 Appendix H: Documentation of Informed Consent .160 Appendix I: Email Confirming Decline of Participation .164 x UCF List of Tables Table 1: UCF Undergraduate Demographics .29 Table 2: UCF Online Enrollment.30 Table 3: State University Competitor’s Undergraduate Student Demographic Data .31 Table 4: UCF: Co-Curriculum Learning Experiences .38 Table 5: HBCUs compared to non-HBCUs .62 Table 6: Demographics of UCF Black Students Who Were Interviewed .91 Table 7: Themes from Data Analysis .95 Table 8: Research Question, Theme and Findings .103 xi UCF Chapter 1 Increasing Strategies and Programs for the Retention and Graduation of Black Undergraduate Students at the University of Central Florida The following paper provides an institutional study for the University of Central Florida (UCF).

There are three main sections: internal context, external context, and considerations of people. The internal context section includes the following components: history, mission, leadership and governance, academic and curricular decisions, areas of concern, distinguishing characteristics; and institutional decision-making. The second section, external context consists of: characteristics of the institution type, including general trends, issues; challenges and successes of post-secondary institutions; state roles in higher education; financial and budgetary considerations; fundraising and philanthropic giving efforts; local, state, federal political, and governmental factors; historical legal issues; enrollment; marketing; and partnerships. Further, the third section considerations of people include: Student Affairs functions; student body demographics; co-curriculum student experiences; student populations; faculty leadership; academic freedom; organizational and administrative structure; shared governance in practice; institutional decision-making; weak links and consideration of human factors within the institution.

In addition, the following sections are included: the research question discussion, the significance of the study, and conclusion. The above components support the purpose of the paper which is to provide information relevant to the research question (RQ): What strategies and programs can be provided for the retention and graduation of Black undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida? Moreover, the University of Central Florida (UCF), a state university, is 13 miles east of downtown Orlando. UCF is a prominent research university located near area attractions in the 1 UCF metropolitan area of Orlando (UCF, n. The university employs a diverse faculty and staff of over 13,000, and a secure campus environment is provided to support students to learn, grow, and succeed (UCF, n.

The mission of UCF is to “offer high-quality undergraduate and graduate education, student development, and continuing education; To conduct research and creative activities, and to provide services that enhance the intellectual, cultural, environmental, and economic development of the metropolitan region, address national and international issues in key areas, establish UCF as a major presence, and contribute to the global community.-a) During the research, the researcher analyzed enrollment data for several Florida public institutions. The researcher, specifically, reviewed the African American admission data from several post-secondary institutions. The researcher identified lower than average minority student enrollment percentages at public universities in the state of Florida (see Appendix A). The reveal of data strengthened the researcher’s resolve to pursue the research question: What strategies and programs can be provided for the retention and graduation of Black undergraduate students at the University of Central Florida? As a result, the researcher can influence the outcomes by passionately continuing the research in this area.

The researcher’s capstone will provide strategies and programs to increase and maintain the minority representation at UCF and enlighten other HEIs in the state of Florida and beyond to follow suit. 2 UCF Section 1: University of Central Florida History The University of Central Florida was founded by the Florida legislature June 10, 1963, and February 1, 1966, then named Florida Technological University, with the mission of providing support to the U.