An understanding of factors influencing retention of African-American undergraduate students in computer science

This paper describes factors that best predict intention among African-American undergraduate students to persist in the computer science (CS) major at two historically black colleges and universities (HBCU). The question posed in this study is: How might universities promote the attainment of African-American students in CS? To answer that question, we believe the right question to ask is "Why do those students who succeed in attaining a degree in CS, select and stay in the program?" rather than "Why do they drop out of CS program?" We explore this question by examining characteristics of African-American students who persist in the CS field. Although limited to two HBCUs, this study sheds light on strategies for improving retention computer science based on the characteristics/experiences of those who have persisted in the program.