African American’s who attend predominantly white institutions may struggle with finding mentorship on campus. This often leads to many Blacks losing interest in classes, completing requirements and obtaining their degree. PWI’s have done a minimal job of assisting students of color adjust to college after getting accepted. Often, they leave black students to find their own peer groups and create their own safe havens on campus. They have done a worse job at ensuring that students of color are able to succeed in their academic career, while obtaining a degree or after. In this research I want to explore if black students on college campuses across Western North Carolina are experiencing the lack of mentorship. Mentorship in any form, from African American’s or towards African Americans throughout college, can help lead to better job opportunities, a better appreciation for their major, a greater chance in continuing higher education, and a since of belonging on campus. Mentorship provides students with the opportunity to establish lasting connections in the academic world, as well as define what their careers and further education might be like. These academic opportunities help provide a sense of assurance when working towards one’s career. These are just a few of the issues African American’s at PWI’s are facing every semester when they do not receive proper mentorship. Looking at the numbers for Western North Carolina, the U.S. department of Commerce reported in 2010 that Western North Carolina’s people of color combined for nearly 12 percent of the region. While their counterparts (white’s) account makes up 35 percent of the region. Examining closer, The State of Black Asheville reported that its city is 79 percent white and 13 percent black. While the city’s local college, UNC Asheville reports only 3 percent of the students identified as black, while 87 percent identified as white. I will look to interview African American students across five PWI’s in Western North Carolina to gather their thoughts on, if they view lack of mentorship as an issue on their campus, and if they had proper mentorship throughout or during their college experience do they believe they would be in a better position than they are now. The main topic I look to explore is that African American students need mentorship but are not getting it.
