Tennessee Technological University

Thesis project

Social and Academic Success of Minority Students as Compared with White Students Attending a Predominantly White University

Statement of the Problem

This study will answer the following questions: Do minority students who attend a predominantly white college or university experience similar levels of academic and social success (social integration with faculty and other students) in comparison to white students? To what extent, if any, do factors, such as family income, parents' level of education, and standardized test scores, relate to different academic outcomes and social experiences for minority students as compared with white students?

Hypotheses
This study will examine the following hypotheses:
1. There will be a difference in the level of social and academic success between minority students and white students.
2. There will be a difference in the level of social interaction with students and faculty of similar racial or ethnic backgrounds between minority and white students.
3. There will be a difference in the level of social interaction with students and faculty of other racial or ethnic backgrounds between minority and white students.
4. There will be a difference in the relationship of factors such as family income, parents' level of education, and previous standardized test scores and academic and social success of minority students as compared with white students.

Design & Sampling Plan

This will be a correlational study that will consist of surveying a random sampling of minority and White undergraduate students at Tennessee Technological University. This survey will address racial and ethnic background, family income, parents' educational level, GPA, and personal experiences in the university setting.