PROPUESTA DEL MODELO DE GESTION ADMINISTRATIVA

As noted previously, African American males enroll in community colleges because of their open access, affordability, close proximity, and ability to provide upward mobility (Cohen, Brawer, & Kisker, 2014; Ingram, Williams, Coaxum, Hilton, & Harrell, 2016; Pope, 2006; Wood & Harrison, 2014). Although community colleges have been praised for their open access, they have also faced major criticism (Bush, Bush, Wilcoxson, 2009; Clark, 1960; 1980; Cohen, 1980; Johnston, 1980; Neumann & Riesman, 1980; Wood, 2013; Wood, Hilton, & Hicks, 2014; Wood, Palmer, & Harris, 2015; Vaughan, 1980). Research suggests community colleges have a certain stigma that reveals they are underprepared for underprepared students (Barr & Schuetz, 2008; McGrath & Tobia, 2008; Shurgart & Romano, 2008). Researchers point out that

community colleges have marginalized students and their marginalization is a “pernicious problem” that manifests in individual actions, institutional policies, and social practices (Deli-Amen, 2011; Harbour & Ebie, 2011). For instance, many students come to community colleges hoping and expecting to live and study in a more diverse environment free from marginalization, but too often find their expectations are not fulfilled (Harbour & Ebie, 2011). Surprisingly, many of the expectations are not fulfilled because the United States’ hierarchical system of higher education places community colleges at the bottom (Clark, 1960; 1980; Cohen, 1980; Johnston, 1980; Neumann & Riesman, 1980; Vaughan, 1980). For this reason Vaughan (1980) declares, “the great majority of students who attend community colleges are doomed to remain near the

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bottom” (p. 2). Research indicates, community colleges cool out students by encouraging them to lower their aspirations from professional degrees to settling for career

curriculums that tend to lead to dead-end positions which do not contribute to students’ upward social mobility (Clark, 1960; 1980; Cohen, 1980; Cohen, Brawer, & Kisker, 2014; Pope, 2006; Vaughan, 1980).

Given these points, participants in this study illustrated that they felt a peculiar sensation enrolling at a community college. Revisiting previous comments by

participants such as Carmelo, Jay, Izzy, Marcus, and Omarion implied that there is a stigma of being a community college student. For example, Carmelo indicated attending a community college involves having to disprove stereotypes. He revealed that as a community college student, “it feels like everyone keeps beating down on you and talking about you. I know you shouldn’t be paying them any attention, [but] when I do listen to it that’s when I start to get discouraged”.

Jay emphasized, “I promised myself I would never get into community

college…because I listen to people too much. They tell me, you know if you go to county college, because it's not all that. [A] two-year school, [people] don't think highly of it.” By the same token, Izzy was hesitant to attend a community college because he also thought they were not “as good as it is supposed to be”. Marcus argued that there is “no difference in the curriculums” between a community college and a four-year institution. Marcus’ brother, Omarion declared, “I can honestly say that the work isn’t different. The work is exactly the same.” Nevertheless, research points out that there is a difference in the level of instruction (Cohen & Brawer, 2008; Cohen, Brawer, & Kisker, 2014).

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Findings for this study support research indicating African American male students perceive community colleges as a major juncture in their educational pipeline (Bazile, 2009; Bush & Bush, 2010; Bush, Bush, & Wilcoxson, 2009; Mosby, 2009; Strayhorn, 2012; Wood, Hilton, & Hicks, 2014; Wood, Palmer, & Harris, 2015). In fact, participants revealed that a community college is a stepping stone to either pursuing additional postsecondary advancement or a career. In other words, Black male community college students in EOF pursuing a college degree use the institution as a platform for their advancement.

Gary commented:

After high school, I was going to further my education. I didn't want to stay at home and just let my life wash away. Because if I just sat home, I would have been missing a year or two of college, and I would have to go back and start remembering everything I had learned in high school to go on to college. And then I didn't want this opportunity for education to go to waste, so I probably just get a degree or get something, to start working out in the real world. Because I really can't get a job without a diploma or a certain degree that says you went to college did this and studied in this major, so you can show you have experience. If I would have stayed at home, not gone to college, I wouldn't be able to start a career in what I'm doing.

As far as pursuing a career, Malik revealed he enrolled in college because he wants independence. Malik shared:

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Honestly, after I graduated high school, my mother wanted me to go to college. She wants me to be the first one to actually go to college. She just wants me to get a degree. She does not want me to not have a degree because she figures if I have a degree I will at least have something to always fall back on. And like seeing my friends going through different paths in life, like the ones who work all of the time, they’re not happy. So, I rather go to school and work later to be happy doing what I want to do…But working full-time on a 9 to 5 manual labor, I am not doing that anymore.

Omarion who plans to become a doctor pointed out:

I just grew up knowing that if I want to do this [become a doctor] I gotta do this [enroll in college]. College is not like one of those things that, I need to attend to get a job. It’s more like, okay, college just has to happen so I can get to med school to get a job. It’s a stepping stone.

In spite of participants acknowledging they attended a community college for an opportunity to advance, they also enrolled at a community college hoping their

experience enhances their confidence and personal development. In particular, Jay indicated his matriculation at a community college was a wise decision because he had “nowhere else to go”. He revealed that attending a community college was his best option because he could not afford to attend a four-year institution or join the military.

On the other hand, Zay planned to join the National Guard and take a few semesters off from school. He explained, “I mean basically, I am just taking whatever I

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gain from here and take it as far as I can in the military. I know I will be able to adapt quicker because of my experiences here”.

Consequently, all of the participants shared that they view community college not only as a place to train for a career but a place that provides them time to figure out their future. With this in mind, findings for this study indicated that participants are hopeful attaining a college degree secures them with an opportunity for advancement and makes their families proud. Under those circumstances, the participation of Black males at a community college in a support program such as EOF is an additional attempt to find support to secure their intentions.