A Qualitative Look at How Marginalized Student Parents Use and Make Decisions About Academic Units, Careers, and Campus Resources

• In Event: After Access: Institutional Support for Marginalized College Students

Abstract

Community colleges are the main entry points into higher education for student parents. Thus, this qualitative study seeks to better understand how student parents utilize their own knowledge, lived experiences, and other forms of capital to make decisions about college, their careers, and how they navigate through college. Findings of this study speak to the many difficulties student parents face navigating life as a college student and parent. We hope these findings will encourage community colleges to think about ways that they can tangibly evaluate their current practices and services offered to student parents and continue to find better ways to communicate these services and create a much more welcoming environment for this group of students.

Authors

• Cecilia Rios-Aguilar, University of California - Los Angeles

• Adrian H. Huerta, University of Southern California

• Frank Henry-Ala, Claremont Graduate University

• Christina Zavala, University of California - Los Angeles

• Sidronio Jacobo, University of California - Los Angeles

• Daisy Ramirez, University of California - Los Angeles

• Brenda Coronel, University of California - Los Angeles