2-Year Institutions & Their Effects on African American Males

            The study looked at the impact of attending a 2-year vs. a 4-year institution on African American male students’ academic and social integration experiences in the first year of college.  Results indicated that African American males attending 4-year institutions were more likely to report higher levels of academic and social integration in the first year of college, suggesting that student affairs practitioners at 2-year institutions should develop interventions to ensure that African American males are engaging in academic and social integration experiences.  Prior research indicates that students attending 2-year institutions are not as likely to obtain a bachelor’s degree as students who attend 4-year institutions. 

     African American males in this study who attended 4-year institutions said they were more likely to attend study groups outside of class than were African American males at 2-year institutions.  African American males at 4-year institutions were also more likely to talk to faculty outside of class time and meet with their advisor concerning their academic plan.  African-American male at 4-year institutions were much more likely to participate in school clubs and attend fine arts performances, participate in intramural sports, and go places with friends from school than African American males at 2-year institutions.  This study found compelling evidence that African American males at 4-year institutions are more socially and academically integrated than their counterparts at 2-year institutions. 

Flowers, L. A. (2006). Effects of attending a 2-year institution on african american males' academic and social integration in the first year of college. Teachers College Record, 108(2),