Building Stackable Education and Career Credentials into Healthcare with Low-Income Students

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: Division J - Section 2a: College Student Access, Trajectories, and Transitions Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

To address growing nationwide challenges in accessing healthcare, this paper reports a case study of how a K-16 alliance is dismantling historic barriers along low-income students' educational and career pathways to healthcare careers. We examined three research questions: What are the challenges and resources for navigating healthcare education and career pathways from the viewpoints of low-income students; K-12, community college, and university educators; and healthcare professionals? How can K-16 alliances align advising tools from middle school through college into healthcare careers? How can alliances streamline stackable healthcare credentials along students’ education and career pathways? We draw from interviews with students, educators, and healthcare professionals to map how alliances can build coherent stackable credentials within and across educational and healthcare systems.

Authors

• Catherine R. Cooper, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Lucia Vitale, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Jordan Sitea, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Cristine H. Chopra, Santa Cruz County Office of Education

• Maria Rocha-Ruiz, University of California - Santa Cruz