1. Cross the Finish Line: Strategies for Increasing the Retention, Persistence, and Graduation Rates of Black Male Student-Athletes at Kentucky State University
- Author
-
Jackson, Jamaal R.
- Abstract
The Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool is designed to be utilized by Kentucky State University coaches and athletic department staff who work with Black male student-athletes. The Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool contains modules that provide information on academics, mental health, and cultural competence to the user. When its use is implemented at Kentucky State University, an HBCU, it is expected to increase the retention, persistence, and graduation rates of Black male student-athletes. The intended audience is Kentucky State University Athletic Department staff. Black males have the lowest 4-year graduation rates of all races and genders (NCES, 2019). Black male student-athletes at Kentucky State University have a 32% graduation rate (KYSU Office of Institutional Research, 2022), well below the 38% average for all NCAA Division II Black male student-athletes (NCAA, 2022). The modules within the Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool identify the barriers to graduation that exist for Black Male student-athlete at Kentucky State University as well as give instructions for helping Black male student-athletes to overcome those barriers. Along with the design and contents of the Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool, this executive summary discusses reasons for the low retention, persistence, and graduation rates of Black male student-athletes at Kentucky State University, and provides techniques and methods for helping the Black male student-athletes overcome those barriers. A review of literature was conducted, and the author's personal and professional experiences were used in developing the Cross the Finish Line eLearning tool. Interview responses from experts from the fields of academics, mental health, and cultural competence were used in the development of the Cross the Finish Line e-Learning tool. This research aided in the design of the modules by identifying key issues that athletic department staff and coaches need to be aware of in order to help Black male student-athletes persist towards graduation at Kentucky State University. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
- Published
- 2023