Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to observe a possible correlation between cocurricular activities and retention rates within the population of African American male students at a large Midwestern University. With increasing numbers of African American male students entering higher education, it has proven necessary to do a more in depth study of African American male experiences and concerns.Participants in the study were contacted through email with the use of a listserv from the Multicultural Center at the University where this research was conducted. Personal contact was made with one of the University's multicultural organizations entitled Men of Color. The targeted group of students were given the purpose of the study and allowed to ask questions prior to volunteering time for an interview. Individual interviews were set up with students that expressed interest.Data was collected through one-on-one interviews with each of the ten participants in the study. The interviews were audio-recorded in the conference room of the Multicultural Center at the University. The Multicultural Center offered a comfortable neutral environment for the informants. After each interview, the researcher transcribed the interview and looked for emerging themes or trends.The interviews were semi-structured and approved by the Director of the Multicultural Center. The interview guide included questions concerning the informants' co-curricular involvement and the campus culture in relation to retention rates at the University. All informants were assured of their confidentiality and fictitious names were used when reporting research.Five themes emerged from the project. They were; multicultural organization articipation, regular service or volunteer involvement, more effective time management, connection with the institution, and the expectation of college attendance. Results of the study suggested that the African American male students interviewed, felt a greater sense of pride for the institution. Through their involvement in co-curricular activities, the African American male students gained institutional insight and formed relationships and connections with other individuals that offered the students the needed support that they had expressed. It may be possible that co-curricular involvement indicated a greater commitment to the University which may in turn relate to a greater possibility of retention until graduation. This possible relationship is a subject that could be studied in the future.