Supporting HBCU Students' Academic Identity Development: Understanding the Experiences of First Year Students Engaged in Freshmen Learning Communities

2:45-3:35 p.m.

Location: Warhol B

Type: Informative/panel Interactive

Audience: Linked Courses

Presenters: Tiffany Pogue, Albany State University

The contributions of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have been well documented (Gasman & Nguyen, 2014; Irvine & Fenwick, 2011; Perna et al., 2009; Reddick, 2006). While we know much of what these institutions contribute to the US workforce, economy, and knowledge base, less attention has been given to how these institutions operate. We also know that to promote student success, we must surround students with an environment of activities and opportunities to stimulate engagement (Li et al., 2020). University College (UC) and its learning communities at Albany State University were created to encourage student engagement and academic success. Our primary desired outcome is to contribute to students' successes through co-curricular activities designed by our learning community instructors and faculty (University College, 2022). This presentation will present findings from a year-long study to explore the experiences of UC students in these communities and their impact on their academic identities.