Division J Vice Presidential Session. Centering Race and Equity in Community College and Transfer Research

Session Type: Invited Speaker Session

Abstract

This symposium emphasizes the need for methodological and theoretical innovation that centers racial equity in understanding and researching community college contexts and transfer processes, as well as preparing the next generation of scholars for this work. As an example, we present a mixed-methods study (QuantCrit and Critical Policy Analysis), grounded in Critical Race Theory, which investigates whether transfer incentive policies are grounded in racially unjust assumptions. Our session highlights approaches for: (1) centering race and equity via critical frameworks and methodologies in community college/transfer research; (2) investigating how transfer practices and policies may improve educational equity for racially minoritized students or further contribute to a racially unjust educational system; and (3) supporting graduate students in developing equity-oriented scholarship via a research team-based approach.

Sub Unit

• Division J - Postsecondary Education

Papers

• Racial Equity in Community College Transfer Incentive Policies: A Critical Mixed-Methods Analysis - Caryn Brause, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Ling Chen, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Jeff Edelstein, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Patricia Feraud-King, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Chrystal A. George Mwangi, George Mason University; Jamina Scippio-McFadden, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Kat J.M. Stephens, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Miguel Tejada, University of Massachusetts - Amherst; Ryan S. Wells, University of Massachusetts - Amherst

Discussant

• Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign