Thesis
Experiences of minority college students and the influence of culture centers and services
Washington State University
Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
2013
Handle:
https://hdl.handle.net/2376/103272
Abstract
The present study examined college experiences of racial and ethnic minority students on a predominantly white campus and the influence of multicultural services on school success. As there is scarce previous research on the influence of culture centers and services on minority college retention (Patton, 2010), the study examined ways in which students perceive multicultural services to be helpful, including how culture centers and services influenced the transition, adjustment, persistence, achievement, and graduation of students. The study was designed in collaboration with Multicultural Student Services (MSS), a university-based organization working to promote student success in the provision of culture centers and services. I used a qualitative research design, involving six semi-structured focus groups (N=57). Focus group recordings were transcribed and analyzed using grounded theory (Strauss & Corbin, 1998). Emergent themes were interpreted using three theoretical frameworks, including cultural navigation models, self-determination theory, and the risk and protective factor framework. Study findings showed that minority students attending a PWI frequently felt underrepresented and marginalized in university settings; however, culture centers and services provided safe havens in which students experienced cultural fit, nourishment, connectedness, and developed competencies. Recommendations to MSS and future directions of research are also discussed.
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Details
- Title
- Experiences of minority college students and the influence of culture centers and services
- Creators
- Lisa M. Stocker
- Contributors
- Laura G. Hill (Degree Supervisor)
- Awarding Institution
- Washington State University
- Academic Unit
- Human Development, Department of
- Theses and Dissertations
- Master of Arts (MA), Washington State University
- Publisher
- Washington State University; [Pullman, Washington] :
- Identifiers
- 99900525033101842
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Thesis