The Role of Faculty, Counselors, and Support Programs on Latino/a Community College Students’ Success and Intent to Persist

Community colleges serve as the primary point of entry into higher education for more than 50% of all Latinx college students, including those studying to earn certificates or associate's degrees as well as those hoping to transfer to four-year institutions. This study utilized a sample of Latinx community college students in California (75% of whom were first-generation students). The results demonstrated that participation in student support programs had a small but significant impact on both a student's academic success as well as their intent to pursue degree completion. Support programs can help provide academic and career information, but assistance must move beyond academics to be beneficial. Attention to the psychosocial needs of first-generation Latinx students is crucial, and the author suggests that college administrators ensure that the staff of counseling and advising programs are trained in the unique barriers that first-generation Latinx students experience in completing college programs. Support programs should also develop ongoing 'orientation' programs for parents, partners, and other key family members of students, with the goal of boosting the significant positive impact that a supportive social network can have on a Latinx student's intent to complete their degree program. (The Immigrant Integration Lab at Boston College)

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