Educational Aspirations and Well Being among African American Students in Rural South Georgia
Location
Session 3 (Room 1302)
Session Format
Oral Presentation
Your Campus
Statesboro Campus- Henderson Library, April 20th
Academic Unit
Department of Curriculum, Foundations, and Reading
Research Area Topic:
Education & Learning - Teaching, Learning & Human Development
Co-Presenters and Faculty Mentors or Advisors
Jasmine Edge, Ed.S., NCSP
Abstract
Contemplating direction after high school is a dilemma met with uncertainty, fear and overwhelming options for many high school seniors approaching graduation. This is particularly the case in rural counties where there are limited opportunities for employment (Olson & Torrance, 1996). The goal of this research is to examine the influence of the rural context on African American students’ choices for post-secondary options. African American students’ views about their future or possible selves and how rural African American families influence these students transition for independent life after high school is often overlooked in higher education research. Special attention is given to how students describe their perspectives on living in the rural context, social justice, mental well-being how these factors influence their decisions about the future. Five students who attend the same South Georgia rural church were interviewed through focus groups to describe their schooling experiences, opportunities they pursued after high school, and public protests where they marched. As current college students, they describe experiences of fear in dealing with racism, making complex decisions in leaving their families, and creating networks for future careers. This presentation on rural African American students is important to include in the discussion as universities struggle to understand how we might better prepare students for college opportunities as well as provide a setting for students to thrive.
Program Description
The goal of this research is to examine the influence of the rural context on African American students’ choices for post-secondary options. African American students’ views about their future or possible selves and how rural African American families influence these students transition for independent life after high school is often overlooked in higher education research.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Presentation Type and Release Option
Presentation (Open Access)
Start Date
4-20-2022 2:15 PM
End Date
4-20-2022 3:15 PM
Recommended Citation
Edge, Jasmine and Williams-Johnson, Meca, "Educational Aspirations and Well Being among African American Students in Rural South Georgia" (2022). GS4 Georgia Southern Student Scholars Symposium. 49.
https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/research_symposium/2022/2022/49
Educational Aspirations and Well Being among African American Students in Rural South Georgia
Session 3 (Room 1302)
Contemplating direction after high school is a dilemma met with uncertainty, fear and overwhelming options for many high school seniors approaching graduation. This is particularly the case in rural counties where there are limited opportunities for employment (Olson & Torrance, 1996). The goal of this research is to examine the influence of the rural context on African American students’ choices for post-secondary options. African American students’ views about their future or possible selves and how rural African American families influence these students transition for independent life after high school is often overlooked in higher education research. Special attention is given to how students describe their perspectives on living in the rural context, social justice, mental well-being how these factors influence their decisions about the future. Five students who attend the same South Georgia rural church were interviewed through focus groups to describe their schooling experiences, opportunities they pursued after high school, and public protests where they marched. As current college students, they describe experiences of fear in dealing with racism, making complex decisions in leaving their families, and creating networks for future careers. This presentation on rural African American students is important to include in the discussion as universities struggle to understand how we might better prepare students for college opportunities as well as provide a setting for students to thrive.
