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ERIC Number: EJ1465750
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2025-Apr
Pages: 16
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0091-5521
EISSN: EISSN-1940-2325
Available Date: 0000-00-00
Exploring Transfer: A Liberal Arts Program for Community College Students
Biniam Tesfamariam1; Charlotte C. Gullick1; Wendy Maragh Taylor1; Christopher Bjork1; Elizabeth H. Bradley1
Community College Review, v53 n2 p246-261 2025
Objective: Although most community college students intend to transfer to a 4-year college, few ultimately do. We sought to assess how student experiences of the Exploring Transfer (ET) program influenced transfer rates. The ET program was offered by a private, 4-year liberal arts college. Methods: We used data from a cross-sectional survey of students who completed the ET program between 2008 and 2021 and could be reached by email (87% or N = 318 had valid email addresses). We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, educational outcomes, and perceptions of the value of ET, as well as an open-ended item asking respondents how ET influenced their subsequent educational, employment, and life trajectory. We employed logistic regression to explore factors associated with 4-year completion rates. We used the constant comparative method to identify recurrent themes from the open-ended responses. Results: About 70% of the respondents (N = 146, response rate of 46%) had completed their baccalaureate degree, and an additional 15% were either currently enrolled or accepted and planning to enroll in 4-year college. We found most graduates strongly valued their experience, and students of color were more likely to have completed their 4-year degree. Emergent themes pertained to instrumental and logistical support, critical thinking and writing skills, and psychosocial factors that enabled subsequent 4-year degree completion. Conclusion: Four-year degree completion rates were substantial among ET graduates. Scaling up the use of ET-like programs in additional institutions--perhaps as part of a national strategy to increase community college student transfer rates--could help students realize the benefits of a 4-year degree.
SAGE Publications. 2455 Teller Road, Thousand Oaks, CA 91320. Tel: 800-818-7243; Tel: 805-499-9774; Fax: 800-583-2665; e-mail: journals@sagepub.com; Web site: https://sagepub-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: New York
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: 1Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA