Achieving Higher Academic Performance

Abstract

students living in the residence halls were sent a questionnaire via Google Docs. Students were requested to complete the questions about their experiences and knowledge of the campus community. This study focuses on feelings of acceptance, expression, resources, living circumstances, and behaviors of the racially/ethnically diverse students living on campus that urges them to success in the field of higher education. A total of 66 students living on campus completed the survey. The findings indicated that the on-campus Latina/Latino/Hispanic American students struggled more with their academics and had a significantly lower grade point averages than their counterparts. Students who identified as Black/African American/African/Caribbean and Latina/Latino/Hispanic American had on average more negative experiences. This study also points to a large difference in level comfort between students of color and White/Caucasian students with regards to their feelings of safety and acceptance. More equitable environments for students of color living on campus would help produce a better academic experience. v ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I would like to thank my parents, Albert and Patricia Dillard, for supporting me through my collegiate career. It means everything to me to have parents who have pushed me to be a better student, daughter, and person. They have sacrificed so much for me to pursue my education and I know that there is no way I could have done this without their encouragement, financial support, and unconditional love. I would also like to thank my sister, Danielle Dillard, for helping me through too many obstacles to count. I hope that she is just as proud of me as I am of her. Soon we will both be Dr. Dillard's.