ABSTRACT Still Singing: How Gospel Choir Involvement Supports African American Student Success at PWIs By Brenda Lee Nelson This paper investigates the perceptions and experiences of graduated African American students regarding the effects of campus gospel choir involvement on their persistence at Michigan State University (MSU). Drawing upon the frameworks of Aston's Input-Output-Environment (IOE) model, Tinto's Theory of Belonging, and Kuh's High-Impact Practices (HIPs) theory, a narrative inquiry methodology is proposed to develop into the rich narratives and lived experiences of six African American students. The study seeks to highlight the potential benefits of gospel choir involvement in fostering a sense of belonging, support, and academic persistence among this student population at PWIs.
Read
