First-generation students, a population that makes up one-third of all college and university students nationwide, and expected to grow, have lower retention and graduation rates than continuing-generation students. They also have been identified as the population of marginalized students that have the least developed sense of belonging.…

Increasing student retention is one of the greatest challenges faced by community colleges. First-year community college students face a complex set of issues in grappling with their new academic roles and identities. Therefore, there is a need for effective retention efforts that support students during this time of transition. First-Year…

Using narrative interviews, this study explored the experiences of belonging among eight first-generation college students (FGCS) who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). By applying Strayhorn's Belonging and Crenshaw's Intersectionality Framework, this study sheds light on the challenges and benefits BIPOC FGCS encounter as…

This dissertation was an investigation of how students in two-way bilingual immersion (TWBI) programs construct their bilingual identities inside and outside the school setting, highlighting the unique and multifaceted nature of their language development and cultural identity formation. TWBI programs aim to cultivate bilingualism and biliteracy,…

Historical, cultural, and educational policies based on deficit thought are ubiquitous in the identity formation of Latinas. These politics and practices are governed and informed by the dominant ideology and culture, leaving Latinas and their identity formation fragmented and colonized. This dynamic-critical study involved exploring Latinas'…

This research examined the experiences of Filipinx California community college alumni involved in a Filipinx learning community within the last 5 years. This research explored the influencing factors leading Filipinx students to join Filipinx learning communities and how Filipinx culture and the concept of family was incorporated within the…

The purpose of this study was to illuminate the experiences of undergraduate students who participated in academic community-engaged learning, specifically as those experiences related to student mental health and wellness. Student mental health is a growing priority for higher education institutions, and the number of students who are struggling…

This qualitative case study explored self-efficacy and sense of belonging among African American males who participated in Men of Vision and their perception of community college. Ten students of the community college participated in the study through individual, in-depth interviews with the participants addressing three primary research…

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of using information and communication technology (ICT) in the Black worship experience for recruiting and retaining young adults in relation to church services, engagement (defined in this study as communication, community outreach, social activism and collaboration, and support services), and…

Students identified as first-generation often intersect with other factors such as enrollment in community colleges, low income, minority ethnic and/or race identities, low expectations of college-going, and less academic preparation (Cataldi et al., 2018; Redford & Mulvaney-Hoyer, 2017). In 2015, national completion rates in the United States…

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…

The purpose of this study was to gain insight into the lived experiences of queer Latino men in the community college borderlands and how community college spaces shape the activation and deactivation of their identities. Twenty-one queer Latino men enrolled in San Diego County community colleges provided insight into the role that interlocking…

This dissertation introduces and employs the HERC model, a novel conceptual framework developed to critically analyze the intricacies of town-gown relationships during a boundary-spanning crisis. Situated in Tucson, Arizona, the study delves into the nuanced communication dynamics of two key higher education institutions: The University of Arizona…

Professional learning communities (PLCs) have been used among educators in higher education as a way to address areas of concern, such as reform. One such area in higher education concerns inequities in education because they impact student learning and achievement. Faculty-driven PLCs in higher education have also been focused on ensuring that…

Community colleges play a significant role in the higher education landscape. Open access missions and diverse student bodies are often used to indicate that community colleges are democratizing higher education. This study begins broad questions about what it means to do the work of democracy at a community college. De Anza College in Cupertino,…