The impact of COVID-19 on black students in higher education: A systematic review of engagement and achievements

COVID-19 has disproportionately impacted black students in higher education (Arday & Jones, 2022; Kiebler & Stewart, 2022; Garcia et al., 2021; Moore et al., 2022). COVID-19 pandemic brought world-wide transformations that were accompanied by several forms of precarities and mental health problems (Arday & Jones, 2022; Rogers, 2021; Li & Wang, 2020). Thus, the current systematic review examines the impact of COVID-19 on black students in higher education. In doing so, it applies the critical race theory to provide insights on reducing racial disparities and to improve outcomes for black students in higher education. This literature review followed the protocol framework of the Cochrane Collaboration and the PRISMA guidelines. The results revealed that Covid-19 was linked with racism towards Black students, poorer mental health and wellbeing of Black students, several precarities in Black students, loneliness and isolation, and poorer access to academic-related support in Black students. These factors influenced lower academic achievements of Black students in higher education. It is recommended that higher education institutions, local communities, and policy makers should provide means of supporting Black and other minority ethnic students by addressing inequalities and access to resources.