Date
8-6-2025
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership (EdD)
Chair
Sharon Michael-Chadwell
Keywords
graduation rates, community college, case study design, qualitative, retention, persistence
Disciplines
Education
Recommended Citation
Birdsong, Kacie Rene, "Investigating Black Students’ Perceived Motivations for Degree Attainment at a Community College: A Case Study" (2025). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 7273.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/7273
Abstract
The purpose of this case study is to discover the motivation that influences the retention for Black student graduates at a local community college in southern Mississippi. The practical implications of this research are significant, as college graduation rates directly reflect the financial health of a higher education institution. Understanding why Black students are particularly motivated to complete their degrees is not only academically intriguing but also has practical implications for the future of higher education. As enrollment rates are on the decline, graduation rates become even more critical. When it becomes an issue of many students dropping out of school, colleges face complex challenges in maintaining financial health while avoiding tuition increases, thus ensuring that education remains affordable for those who aspire to attend. The central research question of this qualitative case study examines the perceived motivations influencing the retention and persistence of Black students in completing a college degree at a local community college in southern Mississippi. Tinto's (1975) theory of student persistence will be the theoretical framework guiding the study. Tinto's (1975) theory of student persistence provides a foundational lens through which to examine social and academic systems throughout the college journey. This research study used a purposeful sample of Black graduates from Pearl College. Data was collected using semi-structured interviews, photo interviewing, and document analysis. The data analysis for this case study is Yin's data analysis process. This study offered two significant themes: personal and psychological factors, as well as institutional and academic factors. Future research should consider expanding the current information and investigating participants from the 15 community colleges in Mississippi to determine if there is a common denominator in motivation for lack of degree completion across the state.
