Empathy and Academic Achievement among Black/African American College Students in an HBCU

Empathy is the ability to understand the thoughts, behaviors, and feelings of others. In addition to fostering strong relationships and overall personal growth, empathy plays a crucial role in college students achieving positive academic outcomes. However, a knowledge gap exists concerning the role and impact of empathy among college students, particularly Black/African American students at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). This research aims to address this gap by examining those students’ empathy levels and their association with academic achievement. The study found relatively low levels of empathy and a negative association between empathy and academic performance. Further research is needed for a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between empathy and academic achievement among HBCU students.