"I Felt Like a Butterfly Spreading My Wings": Early College and College Transition Experiences of Women From Marginalized Groups

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: Exploring Research on Women and Girls of Color

Abstract

We sought to understand the perceptions of women who identify as of Color and/or low-income, who attended an Early College High School (ECHS) and are now in college, regarding their experiences attending an ECHS and their preparation for postsecondary success. We also sought to understand the women’s transition to college and their subsequent engagement and success in the postsecondary environment. The research questions were: 1) What are the perceptions of college-enrolled women of Color and/or women from low-income backgrounds who attended an ECHS regarding their experiences in an early college program? 2) How has the ECHS experience affected their postsecondary transition, engagement, and success? 3) What are the characteristics of the postsecondary institutions in which the participants enrolled?

Authors

• Leslie Ann Locke, University of Iowa

• Ain A. Grooms, The University of Iowa

• Matthew Stier, The University of Iowa

• Carla Gonzalez, University of Iowa