Ties That Affirm: College Support Programs and Career Success of Professionals From Historically Underrepresented Groups

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session 3
  In Roundtable Session: Two Ends of the Pipeline: Early Childhood and Higher Education Social Policy

Abstract

College support programs (CSPs) have emerged as a promising lever to address the systemic underrepresentation of historically marginalized groups in higher education and professional occupations. This paper draws on survey responses from alumni of two CSPs to explore the kinds of social support that circulate among former participants and assesses the network structures associated with such forms of exchange. I find that CSP networks are primarily characterized by communal support and sustained cross-racial ties. Additionally, I highlight factors correlated with such network dynamics using an exponential random graph (p*) model. In conclusion, I consider the implications of these findings on CSP programming and broader policy debates on the effectiveness of education as a lever for social transformation.

Author

• Tafadzwa Tivaringe, Spencer Foundation