Event Title
Access to Higher Education Through Community-based Organizations
Location
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
Description
PURPOSE: Research has yet to explore the accumulation of social capital through community-based organizations to help students access higher education. The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify the strategies community-based organizations use to help low-income students of color access higher education, using a social capital framework. SUBJECTS: Nine participants from three different types of community-based organizations participated in this study. Four participants were community-based organization staff members and five participants were low-income college or high school students of color. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data was collected through nine individual semi-structured interviews, one focus group, and a content analysis of text materials frequently utilized by the community-based organizations. ANALYSES: The data from the text materials and interview transcripts were coded for reoccurring patterns and themes. RESULTS: Community-based organization staff connect students to networks and provide direct college application support, while building trusting relationships with low-income students of color. Some strategies differ by the type of community-based organization and its source of funding. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that low-income students of color can accumulate dominant forms of capital, needed to access higher education, through their relationships with community-based organization staff. Further studies should expand this study to include additional participants and different types of community-based organizations.
Access to Higher Education Through Community-based Organizations
Hager-Lubbers Exhibition Hall
PURPOSE: Research has yet to explore the accumulation of social capital through community-based organizations to help students access higher education. The purpose of this exploratory study is to identify the strategies community-based organizations use to help low-income students of color access higher education, using a social capital framework. SUBJECTS: Nine participants from three different types of community-based organizations participated in this study. Four participants were community-based organization staff members and five participants were low-income college or high school students of color. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data was collected through nine individual semi-structured interviews, one focus group, and a content analysis of text materials frequently utilized by the community-based organizations. ANALYSES: The data from the text materials and interview transcripts were coded for reoccurring patterns and themes. RESULTS: Community-based organization staff connect students to networks and provide direct college application support, while building trusting relationships with low-income students of color. Some strategies differ by the type of community-based organization and its source of funding. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that low-income students of color can accumulate dominant forms of capital, needed to access higher education, through their relationships with community-based organization staff. Further studies should expand this study to include additional participants and different types of community-based organizations.