Benefits of Ethnic Studies Courses Among Transfer Students at a Minority-Serving Institution

• In Event: College Access, Black Students, and Ethnic Studies

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate how ethnic studies is valuable as it relates to providing a pathway to higher education for transfer ethnic minority students and other students at a minority-serving institution. We used qualitative methods to analyze open-ended survey responses of 105 transfer students enrolled in ethnic studies courses across the college departments. Findings showed that transfer students benefited from the curriculum administered by those courses because it allowed them to connect experiences in their homes and communities to the course curriculum. Research on ethnic studies at 4-year institutions is important given that such programs at their core have the intent to serve minority students through an inclusive curriculum.

Authors

• Bertin Solis, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Courtney Wright, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Rebeca Mireles-Rios, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Lisa Park, University of California, Santa Barbara

• Ingrid Banks, University of California - Santa Barbara

• Adanari Zarate, University of California - Santa Barbara