Committee Chair

Crawford, Elizabeth K.

Committee Member

Taylor, Jessica N.; Rausch, David W.; Harbison, John W.

Department

Dept. of Applied Leadership and Learning

College

College of Health, Education, and Professional Studies

Publisher

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

Place of Publication

Chattanooga (Tenn.)

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate if there was a significant difference of academic success between African American participants and non-participants of the B.U.C.S. Academy program, a summer bridge program, at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). Although African American students’ enrollment has increased for several years, this population remains underrepresented in comparison to majority groups regarding retention, grade point average, and attainment of bachelor’s degrees (East Tennessee State University, 2021). For the purpose of this study, academic success was defined as key metrics of fall-to-fall retention rate, grade point average, and four and six-year graduation rate. Through further evaluate the academic success of African American students at ETSU, four research questions were used for the study to analyze any significant difference between overall satisfaction and academic success for African American students who are/were enrolled in the B.U.C.S. Academy Program and African American non-participants at ETSU, any significant difference for African American students between the overall grade point average, any significant difference between the fall-to-fall retention rates, and any significant difference between the graduation rates at both the 4-year and 6-year levels. For this study, the researcher used a non-experimental, comparative quantitative approach. In the study, the researcher gathered two data sets of quantitative data and survey responses. The researcher aimed to offer a more comprehensive awareness of the African American student experience by analyzing both students’ perceived satisfaction and academic achievements (Bowen et al., 2017). The researcher compared two groups, African American students at ETSU who participated in the B.U.C.S. Academy program and African American students who were non-participants within the program from 2018 to 2023. The researcher employed two statistical tests, the t-test and Chi-square test, to determine if the means of African American participants and non-participants were compatible. Both the t-test and Chi-square were run in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) and revealed to the researcher if there was statistically significant difference between the means of both sample populations (Field, 2013).

Acknowledgments

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS First and foremost, I want to give all glory and honor to Jesus Christ. Without His guidance, strength, and blessings, none of this would have been possible. To my father and mother, Carson and Cleo Harris, your unwavering love, support, and encouragement have been my rock. Thank you for believing in me and for all the sacrifices you've made. Your unwavering love, strength, and encouragement have been the foundation all throughout my life. Their wisdom and belief in my have guided me through every challenge and this achievement is as much theirs as it is mine. I know my father is smiling down from heaven. To my sister and her husband, Carmeka and Chandler Dukes, your constant support and understanding have been a support. Thank you for always being there for me. To my sisters, Carmeka and Cassandra Harris, thank you for a constant source of laughter, encouragement, and belief in me and I am grateful to have you by me through every step of this journey. A heartfelt thank you to Jeffery Alston, Jeff Howard, Keith Johnson, Mary Jordan, Michael Hudson, Lakiesha Armstrong, Susan West, Tamika Williams, Adrianna Guram, Dayna Brown Smithers, and Leah Adinolfi. Your mentorship, guidance, and encouragement have been pivotal in my academic and personal journey. Your friendship and support have been a source of strength and motivation. I am grateful for your constant presence and support. I am deeply grateful to East Tennessee State University and Belmont University for providing me with the resources and opportunities to pursue my research. To my extended family and friends, George and Vikki Davis, Dorothy Grisham, Nikki Gilbert, Dustin Haynes, Jeff Knowles, Shawn Stewart, Kayla Ricker, and Casey Skorput, your love and encouragement have been a constant source of inspiration. Thank you for your unwavering support. Lastly, to my UTC classmates, thank you for the camaraderie, collaboration, and shared experiences. A special thank you to Julie, Denise, Brenda, and Cohort 12. Your support and friendship have made this journey memorable.

Degree

Ed. D.; A dissertation submitted to the faculty of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Education.

Date

8-2025

Subject

Academic achievement--Tennessee--Statistics; African American college students--Tennessee; College dropouts--Prevention; Prediction of scholastic success

Keyword

Summer Bridge; African American College Students

Document Type

Doctoral dissertations

DCMI Type

Text

Extent

viii, 98 leaves

Language

English

Rights

http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/

License

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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