Dissertation Defense Announcement Ph.D. in Higher Education Program: Kevin Pitt “‘Noble and Powerful Minds’: A Comparative Quantitative Analysis of HBCUs & HWIs Role in Contributing to the Growth of the African American Upper Middle Class”

This dissertation investigates the pivotal role of higher education institutions, specifically Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically White Institutions (HWIs), in promoting the growth of the African American Upper Middle Class (AAUMC) in the United States. It scrutinizes graduation rates, intergenerational mobility, and initial post-graduation salaries of African American graduates from these institutional types. The analysis delves into how family background and institutional type influence graduation rates, how student demographics and financial aid policies shape intergenerational mobility, and whether disparities in post-graduation starting salaries across these institutional types impact the expansion of the AAUMC. Applying Critical Race Theory (CRT) allows for an in-depth exploration of the interplay of race, class, and institutional factors in shaping outcomes for African American students who are currently members of the AAUMC or possibly entering the AAUMC. This approach facilitates a nuanced analysis of the roles HBCUs and HWIs play in either perpetuating or mitigating the barriers to economic success faced by African American students. By employing quantitative methodologies (t-test, ANCOVA, linear regression), the research elucidates the varying contributions of HBCUs and HWIs to the African American upper middle-class, offering valuable insights to shape policy and practice surrounding college access and success for African American students.