Journal of College Orientation, Transition, and Retention

African American Male College Students' Transitioning Experiences at PWCUs and their Coping Strategies

A Qualitative Investigation

Darrick Tovar-Murray

A. J. Metz

Janice E. Jones

DOI: https://doi.org/10.24926/jcotr.v19i2.2799

Keywords: African American, males, predominantly white colleges and universities (PWCUs), research, academic, social, integration, matriculation, race, student-institution fit, theory, interview, coping, transition, strategy

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Abstract

Qualitative methodology was used to explore the transitioning experiences of African American males at a large public university in the Midwest. Researchers facilitated a focus group in which seven African American male students described their transitioning experiences and coping strategies attending a predominantly White college and university (PWCU). An interpretative phenomenological approach (IPA) guided by grounded theory was used to analyze the data. Results are discussed with recommendations for researchers and university practitioners.