Factors Influencing Higher Institution Experience of African American Students—Bowie State University

This study explores the factors influencing the higher institution experience of African American students at Bowie StateUniversity, a historically Black College and University (HBCU). The study aims to understand the impacts of financialbarriers, academic preparedness, campus diversity, institutional support, and campus climate on the university experienceof African American students. By analyzing the responses of male and female students to a series of questions related tothese factors, the research seeks to identify key findings and implications for improving the higher education experienceof African American students. Key findings reveal that financial barriers were the most prevalent concern, with manystudents struggling with work demands and educational costs. While academic preparedness seemed less impactful, aneed for more inclusive curricula fostering diverse perspectives was identified. Institutional support had mixed results,with some students feeling well-supported and others having concerns unaddressed. The campus climate generallyfostered a sense of belonging, although some students reported incidents of discrimination. The findings of this studyprovided insights into the unique experiences of African American students and informed policy and practice to enhancetheir college experience. The study’s implications for future research highlight the necessity of examining therelationships among these variables using larger and more diverse samples across various institutions. Additionally,employing research methods that establish causal relationships is essential.