Background/Context: The transition from high school to college marks a critical juncture for students planning to pursue higher education, particularly those from historically marginalized backgrounds. Unfortunately, many of these students are left to navigate complex financial aid requirements, registration processes, and academic placement with…

The rising cost of higher education has brought the value of a college degree under increasing scrutiny. As families and prospective students weigh the substantial financial burden, more are asking: "Is the investment worth it?" RNL's research reveals several key trends shaping the decision-making process of today's college-bound…

In this case study, we investigated the effectiveness of growth mindset and social belonging interventions in a college setting with large numbers of traditionally underrepresented groups (n = 1,091). In doing so, we highlight the characteristics of the students in our study that are important for determining whether we should expect such…

The aim of this study is to examine and explore factors that impact the successful growth of student diversity at colleges and universities in the United States of America. Special emphasis is placed on America's five decade struggle since the 1970s to increase college access and success for underserved youth. The paper reviews select federal…

Latino first-generation college students face a unique set of challenges that are not part of the college experience of their non-first-generation counterparts. Nonetheless, many Latinos remain optimistic about overcoming barriers that might impede their educational pursuits. The present study was aimed at exploring factors that contribute to…

This qualitative study analyzes interviews with 17 first-generation Latina/o/x students. This study bridges funds of knowledge and social reproduction theory to examine the bi-directional exchange of familial funds of knowledge and capital relevant to higher education in Latina/o/x families. Students' familial funds of knowledge assisted them as…

This study investigated the first-year experiences (FYE) of students in a South African university. Survey research design was used in the study. The quantitative method was used for data collection and 1479 first-year students were randomly selected. The findings reveal that first-year students in the selected South African rural-based university…

United States publicly-funded higher education systems are experiencing increasing pressures (Chronicle of Higher Education, 2019). In response, higher education institutions have broadened their appeal to students less likely to attend college as part of their fiscal strategies (Carlson, 2019). This growing student population consists of…

For many first-generation college students (FGCS), college success has not kept pace with college access. Because many students' struggles can be traced to deficits in self-regulated learning (SRL) processes, the purpose of this study was to explore the SRL skills of FGCS. We analyzed the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory, 2nd Edition…

Community colleges are rarely at the forefront of conversations regarding science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) workforce. Attracting diverse students into STEM fields is an important issue, and equally important is the need for science students to be prepared for and interested in tackling pressing societal issues. This study…

Through use of an interpretive phenomenological inquiry, this study examined the lived experiences of first-generation college students persisting at a mid-sized, private, predominantly White institution. Themes that emerged across participants included a sense of "otherness" according to students' race, ethnicity, and first-generation…

The purpose of this project was to increase student achievement, engagement, and satisfaction using animated instructional videos in an online general psychology course at a community college. This project not only considered the data collected from student activity tracking, but also examined students' perception of how the videos engaged and…

This study presents a mixed methods explanatory analysis of the influence of Stafford loan debtload on persistence among underserved populations attending a Hispanic Serving Institution in the Southwest of the United States. Using data from cohort 2010, fall to fall persistence was examined to assess if debtload was related to persistence for all…

Evidence is documented in research that too many students, particularly low-income and minority students, leave the kindergarten to Grade 12 educational system without the knowledge and the skills necessary for success after high school. The primary goal of this study was to examine in greater depth the factors that influence college readiness.…

In 2018, Victoria University adopted a new teaching delivery model, now known as the Block Teaching Model (BTM). The aim of this study focuses on how this new approach to teaching has impacted student learning and academic success, in particular for students who come from a disadvantaged background, compared with those who come from a…