Black and White Student Adaptability to College at a Predominately White Historically Black University: A Single Institution Examination of West Virginia State University

With respect to studies examining Black students at predominately White historically Black colleges or universities (HBCU), very little data exists; therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which the specific benefits to Black and White students attending an HBCU (i.e., academic adjustment, social adjustment, personal-emotional adjustment, and attachment to the institution) also accrue to those students whose HBCU is predominantly White. When comparing Black and White students, no research has been conducted on whether the benefits of attending an HBCU, for Black or White students, also accrue if the HBCU's student population is majority White. To conduct this nonexperimental and descriptive study, the Student Adaptation to College Questionnaire (SACQ) was used. This instrument was distributed to approximately 1,100 West Virginia State University (WVSU) full-time students during the 2021 spring semester at WVSU via campus email. The research shows Black students at West Virginia State University (WVSU) are academically adjusting better to college than White students; however, White students are adjusting better socially and personally. According to the data, White students also have a stronger sense of attachment to WVSU; however, the cause for these outcomes is inconclusive. [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.]