The Academic Experience of Students of Color in a Liberal Arts Institution
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2010-05
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Masters of Education
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Abstract
The purpose of this study is to determine whether students of color choose liberal arts
colleges for similar or different reasons compared to white students, and during the
liberal arts experience, how the selection of courses and majors of students of color
compares to those of white students. This study involved interviewing four sample
groups: freshmen of color and white freshmen, and seniors of color and white seniors.
The reasons for choosing a liberal arts education were generally similar between
students of color and white students. Their reasons included small size, sense of
community, and rigor in both arts and academics. There were however, a few
differences, possibly due to the fact that the students of color in liberal arts colleges,
other than different skin color, do not bring much diversity. Therefore, despite the
change in populations of the liberal arts college from its inception to today, it is still very
selective as to what type of student of color is attracted based on her/his high school
education.