Could You See Yourself Here? Black and Brown Males' Decision Making From Community College to University

• In Event: Building and Sustaining Pathways and Sacred Spaces for Communities of Color in Pre-K–20 Education

Abstract

Admissions to Four-year Universities have two diverse pathways, either gain entrance through the traditional route from High School to College or transfer from community colleges. Community Colleges provide the student with access to complete coursework toward social mobility. As a vehicle, multiple students from disadvantaged backgrounds and communities utilize to acquire access to four-year universities. There is a growing interest in the pre and post -transfer process that students take, as the approach to higher education counters from graduating high school seniors and sophomores in college with an associate's degree.
This study explores how Black and Brown's males prepare to operate the pathway toward four-year universities as this population enrolls at community colleges at a more elevated rate than universities. Universities must resume establishing collaborative partnerships with community colleges to increase retention and graduation at community colleges and universities and men of color.
The theories conducting this study are the Sense of Belonging and Schlossberg Transition theory for this qualitative study. Sense of belonging will provide insight into how participants' experiences at community college tether their decision-making on which university to pursue. In addition, Schlossberg's transition theory will discuss the process of participants transferring and what background factors contribute to the selection of the university.
The findings of this study will provide additional insight and contribute to the ongoing dialogue on how to improve transfer students' access and retention. In addition, community colleges develop programs to inspire community colleges to universities.

Authors

• Dalvin Trevon Dunn, Texas A&M University
  Presenting Author

• James Martinez, University of Houston
  Non-Presenting Author

• Solomon James Park, Texas A&M University
  Non-Presenting Author