Centered in critical race theory (Latcrit) and conceptualization of community cultural wealth, this study explores first-generation Latina/o/x students' motivations to attend college and persist to degree completion. Additionally, this study examines the overlapping forms of cultural wealth that participants access throughout their educational…

Given inequities in transfer student success, emerging research about transfer students has focused on students' familial relationships and identities including race/ethnicity and socioeconomic status. This qualitative study uses the reconceptualized model of multiple dimensions of identity to explore how social and relational identities influence…

Low degree completion rates are a critical problem at rural community colleges. In 2023, only 36% of students who enrolled at a community college in 2017 had earned a credential in the past six years (National Center for Education Statistics, 2023a). Academic advising is critical to help students navigate the confusing pathways of higher…

The educational experiences of Hispanic male college students have become an emerging issue in higher education among minority scholars. The problem addressed by this study is despite more Hispanic males attending colleges and universities, they do not acquire a credential compared to their female counterparts and other ethnic/racial groups.…

This qualitative study explored the challenges that Hispanic and African American students experience during their education in STEM fields at community colleges. Students from four community colleges across Texas participated in this study. Drawing from focus group interviews, three themes were identified as self-perceived challenges to degree…

Using a qualitative, naturalistic inquiry research design, and following the guide principles for conducting research with American Indian populations, this study explored how American Indian college students develop a sense of well-being as they pursue an associate degree in a rural community college. To understand well-being from an American…

Community college presidencies don't last forever. Sometimes they do last until retirement, but in other cases, leaders decide they want to make at least one move before then, which usually entails a move to another institution. This involves a diplomatic dance, with decisions to be made about whom to tell and when about the possible opportunity,…

This study focused on Hmong male participants from a California Community College. The Hmong males are from an indigenous ethnic group uprooted from their agrarian living as a hilltribe in Laos to different parts of the world because of a war that involved the United States government. White Supremacy and Whiteness are the leading cause to the…

While Black students have gained increased access to college, the data reflect that there are fewer Black students completing or earning bachelor's degrees. Existing research reflects findings on various factors, both academic and non-academic, that influence student retention and success in higher education. Historically, theories on student…

Despite the steady growth in transfer enrollment in the California State University (CSU) system, Black transfer students face significant equity gaps in access and completion. This study aims to enhance the limited research on the transfer experiences of Black students at four-year institutions, particularly within the CSU system, where over 40%…

The purpose of this qualitative narrative study is to identify factors that help and hinder first-generation Navajo college students' retention and completion in a community college in rural New Mexico. The theoretical framework will be Tribal Critical Race Theory with data collection being done with a narrative interview approach. An overview of…

The purpose of this study was to suggest post-colonialist programmatic considerations for the implementation of service-learning programs that empower LatinX students. The researcher interviewed LatinX student participants in a Northwest community college. Service-learning program to discover any shared themes between social justice…

This study examined the educational gaps in the North Carolina Department of Public Safety and the North Carolina Community College System and its impact on recidivism. The study aims to establish a holistic and comprehensive transition plan for inmates within 12-24 months of release into society. The study examined classes and training offered to…

Community colleges are an important, yet understudied, tier of the higher education system in the United States. Community colleges serve students from all socio-economic backgrounds. As such, community college students face challenges to their educations not seen in those attending more traditional schools. This dissertation recognizes these…

This study was conducted to investigate the possible influencing factors involved with the Hispanic female population that lives on the Texas and Mexico border and how those factors influence the completion of an Associate of Arts degree at a community college. "Presence in higher education is increasing by all minority groups, except for…