Enduring Commitment to College: First-Generation Students' Journeys From Middle School to Adulthood

• In Event: Marriott Roundtable Session 64
  In Roundtable Session: Longitudinal Perspectives on College Access

Abstract

In today's 'college for all' environment, most young people desire some postsecondary schooling or training. However, the universally high college expectations that have been documented (Jacob & Wilder-Linkow, 2011) have not been matched by increasing rates of college attainment. In fact, low income students from underrepresented backgrounds continue to face a host of barriers to apply, enroll and persist in college (Covarrubias, Gallimore, & Okagaki, 2016). Nevertheless, they report strong intentions to obtain a college degree. Although much has been written about college access, we know relatively little about how students experience the transition to college or to the labor market. This paper profiles the journeys of four young people from middle school through high school and into adulthood.

Authors

• Michal Kurlaender, University of California - Davis

• Juliet Michelsen Wahleithner, California State University - Fresno

• Kelsey Krausen, University of California - Davis