TY - JOUR
T1 - “I Thought It Was a Little Risky”
T2 - Transfer Barriers for Students with Scholarship Support
AU - Sandrin, Susannah
AU - Nishimura, Joel
AU - Sexton, Misti
AU - Barbosa, Samantha
AU - Marshall, Pamela
AU - Chapman, Amanda
AU - McCarthy, Niall
AU - Tuohy, James
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 The Author(s). Published with license by Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.
PY - 2025
Y1 - 2025
N2 - A study of hidden risks, anxieties and barriers to STEM student transfer from community college to a large, comprehensive university is presented. This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis of student responses to a semi-structured interview that asked students about their hesitancy to transfer to a 4-year institution. Participants included students enrolled in a collaborative NSF-sponsored S-STEM scholarship project between three community colleges and a large public university (all in the same large metropolitan area). The project included elements that are well documented in the literature to encourage transfer. These include advising visits by university staff, clear articulation pathways, scholarship support to assist with costs, peer and near peer mentoring opportunities, and cohort-building activities between campuses and on each individual campus. Transfer rates in this group were higher, but still many students with declared interest in transferring did not transfer on time or at all. The authors identified numerous hidden risks and barriers to transfer, in addition to the well-known ones found in the literature. These include additional academic, financial, social, logistical and external/family related barriers. A theme common to many of these barriers was complex bureaucratic processes and events outside of student’s direct control. Many student comments highlighted the importance of in-person connections, mentoring and advising.
AB - A study of hidden risks, anxieties and barriers to STEM student transfer from community college to a large, comprehensive university is presented. This qualitative study employed a thematic analysis of student responses to a semi-structured interview that asked students about their hesitancy to transfer to a 4-year institution. Participants included students enrolled in a collaborative NSF-sponsored S-STEM scholarship project between three community colleges and a large public university (all in the same large metropolitan area). The project included elements that are well documented in the literature to encourage transfer. These include advising visits by university staff, clear articulation pathways, scholarship support to assist with costs, peer and near peer mentoring opportunities, and cohort-building activities between campuses and on each individual campus. Transfer rates in this group were higher, but still many students with declared interest in transferring did not transfer on time or at all. The authors identified numerous hidden risks and barriers to transfer, in addition to the well-known ones found in the literature. These include additional academic, financial, social, logistical and external/family related barriers. A theme common to many of these barriers was complex bureaucratic processes and events outside of student’s direct control. Many student comments highlighted the importance of in-person connections, mentoring and advising.
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U2 - 10.1080/10668926.2023.2256249
DO - 10.1080/10668926.2023.2256249
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85173929347
SN - 1066-8926
VL - 49
SP - 7
EP - 24
JO - Community College Journal of Research and Practice
JF - Community College Journal of Research and Practice
IS - 1
ER -