Date
4-7-2026
Department
School of Education
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy in Education (PhD)
Chair
Sherrita Rogers
Keywords
lived experiences, motivation, alumni, self-determination, belonging
Disciplines
Education
Recommended Citation
Peterson, Brandi Adams, "A Transcendental Phenomenological Study of the Lived Experiences of Texas Historically Black Colleges and Universities Alumni and Post-Graduation Giving" (2026). Doctoral Dissertations and Projects. 8096.
https://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/doctoral/8096
Abstract
The purpose of this transcendental phenomenological study was to explore the lived experiences of historically Black college and university (HBCU) alumni and post-graduation financial support. The theory that guided this study was Deci and Ryan’s self-determination theory, as it investigated how different types of motivation affect behavior, well-being, and personal growth, and how social and cultural factors either strengthen or weaken the desire for historically Black college and university alumni to give post-graduation. The central research question: What are the lived experiences of HBCU alumni and post-graduation financial support? The sampling method used was purposive sampling to select female and male participants who graduated from an HBCU in Texas from 2000 to 2020 and were between the ages of 25 and 45. Data collection was conducted using questionnaires, individual interviews, and video reflections. Data analysis was conducted using Clark Moustakas’s (1994) Phenomenological Research Methods. The significant components of Clark Moustakas’s transcendental phenomenology are Epoché, phenomenological reduction, imaginative variation, and synthesis. Findings revealed that while many alumni expressed a significant desire to contribute financially post-graduation as a way of honoring their undergraduate experiences, this willingness was frequently tempered by limited awareness of institutional needs, skepticism about transparency, and leadership challenges that hindered long-term giving. Participants highlighted both encouraging and discouraging factors.
