The Pennsylvania State University The Graduate School College of Education HIGH-ACHIEVERS AT TWO-YEAR INSTITUTIONS: EXAMINING TRANSFER AND PERSISTENCE AMONG STUDENTS OF COLOR AT SELECTIVE PREDOMINANTLY WHITE INSTITUTIONS A Dissertation in Workforce Education and Development by Stanley A. Bazile 2009 Stanley A. Bazile Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy May 2009 ii The dissertation of Stanley A. Bazile was reviewed and approved* by the following: Edgar I. Farmer Learning and Performance Systems Professor of Education Dissertation Advisor Chair of Committee Richard A. Walter Associate Professor of Workforce Education Development Kenneth C. Gray Associate Professor of Workforce Education Development Spencer Niles Professor and Department Head Counselor Education, Counseling Psychology, and Rehabilitation Services Judith A. Kolb Associate Professor of Education In Charge of Graduate Programs in Workforce Education and Development *Signatures are on file in the Graduate School iii ABSTRACT The number of students of who begin their college careers at two-year institutions and eventually transfer to four-year institutions has continued to grow over the years. This increase has been accompanied by significant research. In many instances the research has examine these students’ misfortunes rather than their triumphs. This study looked to provide a different perspective by examining the experiences of transfer students of color who have persisted and excelled at predominantly white four-year institutions that have selective admission criteria. Within this study student success was examined in and beyond the classroom. A sample of transfer students from two-year postsecondary institutions who excelled academically (as indicated by attaining a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher) participated in leadership involvement opportunities, developed relationships with faculty and staff that resulted in beneficial personal and professional development, participated in enriching activities such as internships, and received various awards were selected. This study attempted to address the lack of balance in previous examinations of the success of transfer students of color. The goal was to further understand the experiences of students who had persevered, flourished, and made the most of their college experience. The research sought to gain insight into, and understanding of the phenomenon of being a high-achieving student of color who transferred from a community college or a two-year institution setting to a selective predominantly white four-year institution. The result was to be an illustration of what the participants in this study experienced, how they experienced it, and the meaning they made of their iv experiences. Qualitative research methods were used to explore the lived experiences of 14 participants from two predominantly white four-year institutions that have selective admission criteria. Through extensive data analysis, 39 sub-themes were identified. These sub-themes led to the identification and classification of eight thematic categories that provided in-depth insight into the shared experiences of the participants. The thematic categories were: (1) Reasons for attending a 2yr institution; (2) Life at the 2yr institution; (3) Life as a first year transfer student; (4) Contributors of success; (5) Rationale for involvement; (6) Benefits of leadership and academic achievements; (7) Transferable skill-sets; and (8) Challenges of success. Based on the data collected from this study implications for policy, practice and future research are proposed. v TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................. viii LIST OF FIGURES................................................................................................. ix ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................................................................... x Chapter 1: INTRODUCTION.................................................................................. 1 The Problem............................................................................................................ 2 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................ 5 Significance of the Study......................................................................................... 6 Research Question ................................................................................................... 7 Limitations .............................................................................................................. 7 Definition of Terms ................................................................................................. 9 Assumptions............................................................................................................ 10 Theoretical Framerrrwork........................................................................................ 11 Rationale for Theoretical Framerrrwork ...................................................... 14 Chapter 2: REVIEW OF LITERATURE ................................................................. 19 Community Colleges ............................................................................................... 19 Original Concepts of Two Year Colleges................................................................. 20 Legislation............................................................................................................... 22 Morrill Act of 1862...................................................................................... 22 Morrill Act of 1890...................................................................................... 23 The First 75 Years of Two Year Colleges ................................................................ 24 Joliet Junior College..................................................................................... 25 Early Profile................................................................................................. 26 Impact of Federal Legislation & War Time .................................................. 27 GI Bill.......................................................................................................... 27 Truman Commission.................................................................................... 28 The Case for Two-Year Institutions ............................................................. 29 Transfer Students..................................................................................................... 30 Concepts and Trends.................................................................................... 35 High-Achieving Students of Color........................................................................... 37 Chapter Summary.................................................................................................... 39 Chapter 3: METHODOLOGY................................................................................. 40 Purpose of the Study................................................................................................ 40 Research Question ................................................................................................... 41 Overview of Research Approach ............................................................................. 41 Population ............................................................................................................... 43 vi Sample Size............................................................................................................. 43 Data Collection........................................................................................................ 45 Recruitment ................................................................................................. 45 Interviews .................................................................................................... 46 Data Analysis .......................................................................................................... 46 Background on the Researcher ..................................................................... 49 Trustworthiness ...........................................................................................51 Methods of Verification........................................................................................... 52 Chapter 4: FINDINGS............................................................................................. 54 The Participants....................................................................................................... 54 Participant Profiles .................................................................................................. 57 The Achievers of Eastern University.…..………………………………………… ... 57 The Achievers of Western University ...................................................................... 61 Interview Results..................................................................................................... 65 Reasons for attending a 2yr Institution..................................................................... 66 Grades were Inadequate ............................................................................... 67 Under Prepared ............................................................................................ 69 I Needed a Place to go.................................................................................