Persistence of Students of Color Through Sophomore Year

• In Event: College-Going Experiences During the First and Second Year: Student Parents and First-Generation Students

Abstract

Often conceptualized as a “slump,” the sophomore experience has been characterized by a lack of institutional support during a critical time in college. However, little attention has been given to sophomores from racially minoritized groups. Using a humanizing framework of student success to unsettle traditional metrics of retention and degree completion, this study examines the experiences of students of color in college to illuminate how they persist and thrive throughout the sophomore year. The findings show that sophomore students of color find grounding in community, build networks to navigate the sophomore hidden curriculum, and persist through their aspirational drive. Implications for student success policy and practice follows.

Author

• Brendon M. Soltis, Michigan State University