Exploring the experiences of upward transfer to a public university among low-income, first-generation, Latinx students

ABSTRACT The qualitative study conducted an in-depth exploration of the lived experiences of low-income, first-generation, Latinx community college students that resulted from interactions with institutional services, online informational resources, and exposure to policies associated with the upward transfer to a public university. Despite, the significant number of Latinx students who enter community colleges with the goal of earning a baccalaureate degree, research has found only 15.9% of this student group transferred to a four-year institution within five years of their initial enrollment at a community college (Horn & Skomsvold, 2011). To address the problem of the low rate of upward transfer among low-income, first-generation, Latinx community college students, a multiple case-study design was utilized to provide a thick description to portray the lived experiences of students and the individualized, environmental, and institutional factors that influence upward transfer. The study’s data collection strategy relied on nine semi-structured, synchronous virtual interviews and analysis of institutional documents. The findings of the research study were applied to formulate sound recommendations that contribute to enhancing the upward transfer function and increasing the rate of successful upward transfer among low-income, first generation, Latinx, community college students.

Embargo status: Restricted until 01/2027. To request the author grant access, click on the PDF link to the left.