Food for Thought: Exploring the Relationship between Food and Housing Insecurity and Academic Performance Among Nontraditional Students enrolled at Public HBCUs in North Carolina

Abstract

Due to mild or severe economic equality, populations of nontraditional students have been shown to be particularly susceptible to food and housing insecurity. The current research is largely lacking literature examining these experiences of nontraditional students at public NC HBCU. The present study will explore the relationship of food and housing vulnerabilities that may be barriers to academic success and performance for students who attend a public HBCU in N.C. The results of a survey of students (n=42) indicated that there is a significance of the students having experienced some level of food and housing insecurity. The sample size for this study is a limitation, which may impact the generalizability of the findings. The study concludes with recommendations for future research exploring additional factors affecting risk-taking within the realm of basic needs insecurity and how it impacts student success at HBCUs.