Examining the College Choice of Black Students Enrolled at a Rural College

Abstract

Mountain View College is a rural 2-year and 4-year degree granting school in the state of West Virginia that is plagued by declining enrollment, unstable financial assets, and minimum resources. In addition, the college exists in a community plagued by high rates of poverty and minimal racial diversity. Such traits mirror the challenges other rural colleges in the United States are currently encountering. Despite such challenges, the college continues to attract a steady number of Black students to its campus. Current studies indicate that Black students, under the guidance of their parents, are more likely to apply to and enroll in selective schools with stable social and academic environments. Therefore, this unique reversal in traditional enrollment trends among Black students deserves greater scrutiny. Snowball sampling was used to recruit participants. In total, six participants consisting of four Mountain View College personnel and two Black Mountain View College alumni were recruited and interviewed for this study. Both sets of participants completed a survey seeking socio-demographic information and also required participants select a series of attributes (academics, affordability, location, etc.) they believed influenced Black prospects’ decision to enroll at Mountain View College. Following the completion of individual surveys, each participant engaged in one-on-one virtual interviews. Interviews allowed participants to provide greater insight into their initial survey responses. Findings indicated that four major themes were apparent. Safety, affordability, athletics, and the community as a post-graduate safe haven were representative of these themes. They also represented the positive characteristics that attracted Black prospects to a rural school like Mountain View College.