ERIC Number: ED630379
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 145
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3684-5454-2
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
"It Takes a Village": Student Mothers' Experiences with Barriers and Support While Navigating Community College
McMillen, Jeanine
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northern Illinois University
Student parents may feel invisible on college campuses, especially student mothers, who often feel ignored and overlooked when institutional policies and practices are not tailored to their needs and challenges. These students are especially vulnerable to withdrawing from college, even in institutional contexts that boast a positive and welcoming climate for underrepresented students. Using validation theory with a critical lens as the guiding theoretical framework, this qualitative case study examined how student mothers at one community college navigate barriers and supports within and outside of the institution. Findings revealed three themes, indicating that student mothers must cobble together a village of external support and, in some instances, have little to no support. Barriers often are layered and nuanced, with support sometimes operating as a barrier. In short, student mothers feel unseen and often perceive a lack of support at the institution. Recommendations include institutional acknowledgement and support of student mothers through data capture; creation of policies, practices, and programming that validate and support their needs; and professional development for faculty and staff that invites student mothers to share stories, concerns, and recommendations for the college. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Two Year College Students, Mothers, Community Colleges, Barriers, Coping, Student Needs, College Role, School Policy, Professional Development, Educational Practices
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A