Abstract:
This basic qualitative research study investigated the experience of African American male students who participated in a pre-college preparatory program prior to college enrollment. Data were collected from three African American male college students and three administrators of a college student support services program. Data collected from three administrators were used to provide additional insight regarding student experiences of African-American male students. The findings of the study discovered that three African American male students who participated in the study perceived that the summer bridge program had a positive influence upon them. Specifically the participants in the study perceived that the pre-college program provided them with information, awareness, and encouragement concerning their decision to pursue post-secondary education. The perception of pre-college programs enhanced the students’ first year college experience by providing them with increased interaction with faculty and staff, mentoring opportunities, and academic support. The perception of pre-college programs further enhanced the students’ academic interaction by assisting them in overcoming personal obstacles, academic obstacles, and financial obstacles. The primary contribution of this study was the discovery that students who make a smooth and expeditious transition from the summer bridge program to the student support services program was the key ingredient to academic success for African American males at the college level. The administrators who participated in the study coined the phrase “the ten day rule” to indicate the time period which was crucial for first year African American males to make the transition from the summer bridge program to the student support services. Those students who made the transition within a ten day period, as the student participants in this study, generally succeed and those students who do not make the transition in a timely fashion generally have difficulties.
