High academic motivation does not bring success to men of color in college. 

African American and Latino men have lower academic outcomes despite high academic motivation and engagement, according to a new study. 

The research was conducted by the Education Center for Community College Student Engagement (CCCSE) at the University of Texas in Austin. 

According to the study, 50 percent of Latino high school students go to community college along with 31 percent of African American students in comparison to 28 percent of white students. 

Researchers collected data from more than 453,000 students nationwide. 

"Despite Black and Latino men reporting higher aspirations to earn a community college degree than their white peers, only 5 percent of those who attend community colleges earn certificates or degrees in three years, as opposed to 32 percent of white men," Kay McClenney, CCCSE director said. 

"Realities like this prompted us to look at what contributes to the achievement gaps and suggest ways community colleges can better support the success of Black and Latino men," he added. 

Studies have shown a link between a student's success and their engagement level with faculty members, other students, and course related materials. 

According to the study, engaged students meets with advisors, works on projects with students outside of class, attends class on time, spend hours rewriting a research paper and asks questions. 

Findings showed African American men are the most engaged, followed by Latino men and showing white men as the least engaged. However, when it comes down to achievement, the results are reversed and shows white men consistently having the highest grades and college completion rates. 

The study revealed two main reasons for the achieve gap among African American and Latino men.

Stereotype threat and college readiness

Stereotype threat is the experience of anxiety in a situation in which a person has the risk of confirming a negative stereotype about his or her social group.

"Even when the stereotyping is subtle and there are no bad intentions or active prejudice intended, stereotype threat can be triggered and have negative results," said McClenney. "Research indicates this threat is a significant cause of minority underachievement in U.S. higher education."

In regards to college readiness, African American and Latino students tend to start community college needing academic skills development in multiple areas. 

To address the achievement gaps, the report recommends that community colleges acknowledge academic preparation and implement practices that will benefit all students, including fostering personal connections, setting high expectations and offering quality instruction from very engaged faculty members.

For the first time in his life, a student participant said "I ran into an individual teacher that was not only Latino, but was like me. There was a time he had pulled me aside and said, 'You remind me a lot of me.' He was like 'You can do this.'"