TDNet Discover

The proposed mixed method capstone study will investigate the academic preparedness experiences of Black female student-athletes at Prairie View A&M University. For the purpose of this proposed capstone study, academic preparedness will be generally defined as the extent to which students feel equipped, supported, and confident in meeting academic expectations while balancing the demands of collegiate athletics. The theory guiding this proposed capstone study study will be Yosso’s Community Cultural Wealth theory, as it will align with the proposed study’s focus on how Black female student-athletes draw upon cultural, social, and navigational capital to persist academically within an institution that will not fully address their intersectional needs. The primary research question will explore how these student-athletes perceive their academic preparedness and how institutional academic support structures will influence those perceptions. This proposed capstone study will take place within the Athletic Academics Department at Prairie View A&M University and will include Black female student-athletes who represent a range of sports and academic classifications. Data collection methods will include structured surveys, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, document analysis, and institutional academic performance data that is already available at the university. This proposed capstone study will contribute to a deeper understanding of how Historically Black Colleges and Universities can strengthen academic support systems for Black female student-athletes and develop more culturally responsive and equitable practices.