Institutional fit and persistence among traditional and non-traditional African American men in community colleges

Authors

  • William M. Johnson, Sr. Bowie State University, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32674/dyznqb32

Keywords:

African American males, community college, CCSEQ, persistence, retention, student perceptions, student success

Abstract

This study examined differences in perceptions of the collegiate environment between traditional and non-traditional African American male community college students, using secondary data from the Community College Student Experiences Questionnaire (CCSEQ). The analytic sample (N = 156) was drawn from a national dataset of respondents across eight institutions. A non-parametric Mann–Whitney U test assessed group differences on eight environment items, while an independent-samples t-test compared standardized scale means. Results indicated a significant difference on one item: traditional students reported a higher willingness to reenroll if given the chance to start over compared to their non-traditional peers. Scale-level analyses confirmed that traditional students perceived the overall environment more favorably than non-traditional students. 

Author Biography

  • William M. Johnson, Sr., Bowie State University, USA

    William Johnson, Ed.D. is an Assistant Professor of Education Studies and Leadership at Bowie State University, Maryland, USA. His major research interests lie in student engagement, graduate student success, institutional finance and higher education research. Email: wjohnson1@bowiestate.edu 

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Additional Files

Published

2026-07-25

How to Cite

Johnson, Sr., W. M. (2026). Institutional fit and persistence among traditional and non-traditional African American men in community colleges. American Journal of STEM Education, 21, 203-218. https://doi.org/10.32674/dyznqb32