Effects of Attending a 2-Year Institution on African American Males’ Academic and Social Integration in the First Year of College

This study explored the impact of attending a 2-year (vs. a 4-year) institution on African American male students’ academic and social integration experiences in the first year of college. Descriptive and multivariate analyses of the 1996/1998 Beginning Postsecondary Students Longitudinal Study showed that African American males attending 4-year institutions were more likely to report higher levels of academic and social integration in the first year of college. These findings suggest that student affairs professionals at 2-year institutions should seek to develop appropriate interventions to ensure that African American males are engaging in academic and social integration experiences during their first year of college.