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Culturally Relevant Campus Organizations Retain Black and Latina/o Students…not Free Pizza
by Rebeca Bonilla and Dr. Benjamin M. Drury
College campuses pride themselves on fostering inclusive environments through various student integration initiatives. Yet, do these organizations truly enhance student retention and overall campus experience, particularly for Black students who often find themselves in the minority?
We must unpack the intersectionality of the Black student experience and the influence of campus clubs on academic success to fully comprehend how the lived experience of being Black on and off campus shapes educational and life outcomes.
Black students encounter numerous stereotypes and microaggressions that significantly influence their decision to remain enrolled in college. In response, campus clubs offer a supportive community where these students can find a sense of belonging.
Social networks developed in what is known as “counter spaces” — places on campus specifically to celebrate an identity…in this case, Black student identity — can have a powerful effect on Black student persistence and retention.
