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Exploring the Sense of Belonging of African Americans Attending Predominantly White Universities
Dissertation   Open access

Exploring the Sense of Belonging of African Americans Attending Predominantly White Universities

Wanda Albritton
University of West Florida Libraries
Doctor of Education (EDD), University of West Florida
2025

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Abstract

African American students attending predominantly White universities (PWUs) graduate at lower rates than other races. Research has linked a sense of belonging to persistence and graduation, finding that culturally insensitive campus environments affect African American students’ sense of belonging (Jordt et al., 2017; Museus et al., 2017; Tinto, 2017a). The purpose of this qualitative descriptive phenomenological study was to explore characteristics influencing African American students’ sense of belonging, which contributed to their academic achievement while enrolled in a selected PWU in northwestern Florida. Strayhorn’s (2012, 2019) sense of belonging theory provided theoretical perspective. I followed a qualitative descriptive phenomenological methodology to explore African American students’ sense of belonging to determine how specific factors contributed to the participants’ lived experiences of belonging. Focal attributes were community, affiliation, respect, value, acceptance, and support. A purposeful sampling method aided in selecting six African American students enrolled at a selected PWU as participants. Data collection consisted of administering interviews virtually using open-ended research questions. Using NVivo qualitative data analysis software, I organized data using a thematic analysis approach to develop themes or patterns, revealing findings and suggestions. The study has extended previous research on African American students’ sense of belonging experiences and concluded that African American students desire to belong while attending PWUs. The study provides university administrators with information to improve policies and procedures to assist African American students in achieving positive academic outcomes. Future studies exploring highlighted factors influencing African American students’ sense of belonging can broaden this research.
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