African American Factors for Student Success: Implications for Families and Counselors

Abstract

Many students who navigate the terrain of higher education often seek support during their journeys through college. The purpose of this article is to examine the different kinds of support African American students receive from family during the college years. After doing a comprehensive review of the literature on word combinations such as African American undergraduate students and family relationships, the authors found that the literature was replete with articles, monographs, books, and special reports. To capture this information, this article was conceptualized into four broad categories of research: academic, emotional, social, and financial support. In the final section, a model for campus climate as it relates to students of color is discussed, and specific recommendations for African American families and counselors are given to help African American college students persist through college.