The influence of college choice on the success, ethnic identity, and professional sense of belonging of African American engineers
by DeRamus-Suazo, Nicole L., Ph.D., CAPELLA UNIVERSITY, 2012, 184 pages; 3512956

Abstract:

The purpose of this study was to reveal the perceptions of African American engineers on how college choice influenced their success, ethnic identity, and professional sense of belonging by documenting the unique experiences and success stories of African American engineers who attended four-year institutions, historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and predominantly White institutions (PWIs). The research question was best answered through a qualitative, phenomenological study that depicted the lived experiences of individuals in their own voice. The governing interest was in discovering whether aspiring African American engineers, at this stage in their professional experience, favorably viewed their choice of HBCUs versus PWIs. Participants relayed how having a sense of belonging to their institution and having a supportive network of peers and faculty influenced and shaped their outlook on life. Several of the participants spoke of being resolute in achieving their goal to become an engineer despite the challenges faced in college and in the workforce. Whether participants attended an HBCU or PWI, they felt a sense of achievement and a competence to walk into any situation and succeed. Overwhelmingly, most participants expressed they would choose their undergraduate institution again if given the opportunity. African American engineers favorably viewed their undergraduate college choice as having given them an opportunity to achieve their professional aspirations.

 
AdviserLeone Snyder
SchoolCAPELLA UNIVERSITY
SourceDAI/A 73-10(E), p. , Jul 2012
Source TypeDissertation
SubjectsSociology of education; Engineering; Science education; Higher education
Publication Number3512956
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