Date of Award
1-23-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Educational Leadership, Ed.D.
First Advisor
Topeka Singleton
Committee Members
Antonio Brownlow; Ella Benson
Abstract
African American collegiate athletes make up a large percentage of Division I athletic programs in Mississippi, particularly in high-revenue sports such as football and basketball. Despite access to strong coaching, facilities, and support services, African American collegiate athletes graduate at lower rates than their peers. The problem addressed in this study was the consistently low academic achievement among African American collegiate athletes in Division I athletic programs in Mississippi. The purpose of this qualitative phenomenological research study was to investigate the lived experiences that contributed to the academic achievement of African American collegiate athletes in Division I athletic programs in Mississippi. Guided by Deci and Ryan’s Self-Determination Theory, the study explored how motivation and support systems shaped the academic experiences of these athletes. Data were collected through interviews with nine African American Division I athletes, allowing them to share their personal experiences. Findings revealed that athletes achieved success when they actively managed their responsibilities and received strong support from family and institutional resources such as advising, tutoring, counseling, coaches and faculty. However, participants also reported challenges including limited access to resources, inadequate support from coaches and professors, negative stereotypes, and personal challenges such as stress, fatigue, and difficulty maintaining focus. The results of this study suggested that institutions must strengthen collaboration among coaches, faculty, and support staff while expanding resources tailored to the unique challenges of collegiate athletes. Keywords: academic achievement, college athlete, non-athletic student, self-determination, student support services.
Rights Management
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Deshannon, "A Qualitative Exploration of the Factors Influencing the Academic Experiences of African American Division I Collegiate Athletes in Mississippi" (2026). Student Theses and Dissertations. 1124.
https://arch.astate.edu/all-etd/1124
