Challenges Facing Student Learning at HBCUs Today: An Exploratory Investigation
Fawad S. Rafi, Nikolaos Karagiannis, Robert A. Herring III, Melvin T. Williams

Abstract
Our paper examines learning challenges that are facing students enrolled in a HBCU (Historically Black College or University) located in the southeastern United States. Our study looks at academic success as the outcome and the role played by gender differences in study habits, family and social background, and income equality differences at a historically black university. Special attention is paid to African-American students who represent the majority of populations of HBCUs, and the words “African-American” and “Black” are being used interchangeably throughout the article. A review of relevant literature is presented in Section 1. Primary sources, available statistical information, surveys (mainly Cooperative Institutional Research Program CIRP) and regression analysis were utilized in Section 2, which is the main quantitative part of this ongoing research. Comparisons, analysis of findings, evaluation of results, limitations and further research are presented in Section 3. Recommendations are provided in Section 4 followed by a set of conclusions.

Full Text: PDF