From Latinas' locations in the margins of academe and society emerges a unique set of challenges complicated by racism, sexism, and classism. One form of resistance to these multiple marginalities involves drawing upon and (re)telling one's lived experience to expose oppression and systemic violence. "Testimonio" is a conceptual and methodological…

This study assessed how in- and out-of-class experiences influenced the transition to college, student involvement with institutional life, and student perceptions about learning among 72 first-year community college students from three institutions with large numbers of either Hispanic or African American students. The students were interviewed…

Relationships among student background, initial commitments, social integration, academic integration, and predisposition to transfer were investigated with Hispanic (N=422) and White (N=147) students enrolled in six southwestern community colleges. Ethnic background had no relationship to predisposition to transfer. (Author/MLW)

Using personal experience combined with research, describes the lives of first-generation college students who are entering a new country. Lists ways in which colleges can do a better job of reaching out to these students. Gives a profile of a nontraditional student and portrays the hardships these students encounter. (RJM)

Literature and congressional testimony are reviewed in this examination of the political and social dimensions surrounding the passage of Title III (Higher Education Act of 1965) and its subsequent interpretation through the 1970's. The report first examines the intent of the bill, which was designed to provide financial assistance to developing…

After discussing several issues related to the disproportionately large number of minority students who initiate baccalaureate studies at two-year colleges, this paper urges minority community colleges to strengthen the college transfer function. The paper first summarizes the problems and characteristics of today's community college transfer…

Describes a study of the influence of college culture on Hispanic community college student progress, drawing from interviews with administrators, faculty, and staff. Presents findings regarding the importance of the family, economic considerations, students' knowledge of the college system, cultural understanding, and relationships with feeder…

Offers a personal account of the changes undergone, difficulties surmounted, and incentives involved in a Mexican-American woman's achievement of a doctorate and a post as a university professor. Concludes that just as students adapt, institutions must also change to accommodate culturally diverse populations. (DMM)

This document discusses barriers that impede the progress and participation of Hispanic American students in mathematics and science education, and recommends extensive educational reforms. Following an introduction, the first of two main sections reviews the current Hispanic American underrepresentation in mathematics and science and describes…

The focus of this paper is on issues and concepts in the retention and recruitment of Hispanic students in post-secondary education. First, national post-secondary enrollment declines are projected and the implications of these declines are discussed for admissions and recruitment personnel. Next, the report considers Hispanic enrollments in…

In general, students attending two-year colleges are nontraditional students; i.e., first-generation, studying part-time, employed while attending college, from lower socio-economic status (SES) levels, or having poor high school achievement records. Attrition rates for first-semester two-year college students have been estimated at over 67%, with…

This study assessed how in- and out-of-class experiences influenced diverse students' learning and development in college. The study took place at two community colleges, one with a predominant minority group of Hispanics, the other with a large African American minority group. There researchers conducted focus groups with 3-6 students per group…

The study described in this report examines both the positive and negative influences on student retention and transfer at six community colleges located along the U.S.-Mexico border. Chapter I reviews the literature on retention and transfer and establishes the conceptual framework and research objectives of the study. Chapter II offers baseline…

In response to concerns about the loss of effectiveness of the community college transfer function, this paper examines the steady decline in rates of minority student transfer from two- to four-year colleges and offers policy recommendations for facilitating transfer and baccalaureate degree attainment. Initial sections review data showing the…