Date of Award

Spring 5-18-2023

Degree Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

EdD Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Department

Education Leadership, Management and Policy

Advisor

Manuel Gonzalez, PhD

Committee Member

Sean O'Connor, EdD

Committee Member

Randall F. Clemens, PhD

Keywords

college recruitment, minoritized groups, access, higher education, average academic performers

Abstract

Minoritized Black students who are average academic performers have often been overlooked as a targeted group in empirical studies that look at barriers and other limitations for minority students (Rodriguez, 2015; Stewart, 2013). This study seeks to identify the practices that higher education institutions are currently utilizing to recruit underprivileged minoritized girls who are not high performers or athletes, the effectiveness of those practices, and what changes could potentially be made to improve overall access to college for these students. The qualitative ethnographical study was comprised of semi structured interviews of seven high school personnel, which included high school counselors, administrators, and teachers who were current or previously employed with the Camden City School District in New Jersey. The results suggest that Average performing Black female students make college choices based on negative perceptions of higher education and limited outreach efforts by higher education institutions. The research also found that Higher education institutions can help average performing Black female students make better decisions about pursuing higher education by targeting student support systems and expanded opportunities to experience university settings. The study concluded: a) understanding how underrepresented students are motivated to attend college could help increase their access to higher education; b) increased access to higher education for minoritized populations can help break the poverty cycle and enable better access to The American Dream.

Additional Files
Miles_Dissertation Manuscript 8-2023.pdf (2089 kB)
Revised Submission
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