Desiring to Belong: The Role of Fraternity Involvement on the Sense of Involvement for Black Men at a Predominately White Institution
Veronica Brishay Beavers, Dimitra Smith, Lavelle Hendricks, Anthony Harris
Abstract
Desiring to Belong: The Role of Fraternity Involvement on the Sense of Involvement for Black Men at a Predominately White Institution The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the experiences of ten (10) Black male fraternity members regarding the role of fraternity involvement in their sense of belonging at a mid-size, 4-year, PWI (predominantly White institution). To participate in this study, the participants must 1) self-identify as a Black male; 2) was an active member of an active National Pan-Hellenic fraternity at the study institution; and 3) were currently enrolled full-time at the study institution during the time of this study. Framing this study in Strayhorn’s Sense of Belonging, the findings of this study highlighted that, as a Black male fraternity member, relationships with faculty, staff, and fellow students, the climate of the campus and local community, their experience and influences as a fraternity member, peer connections and their overall experiences at a PWI all impacted their sense of belonging at the PWI.