Theses and Dissertations

Date of Award

2018

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Education (EdD)

Department

Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice

Advisor

Delores Smiley

Committee Member

Diane Bryant

Keywords

college access, first-generation students, higher education, rural students

Abstract

This applied dissertation was designed to determine the effectiveness of a college access program created to improve college application and acceptance rates for underserved students. The program is targeted toward low-income, first-generation students, many of whom are minorities and reside in a rural area. The schools that the students attended have school counselors, but due to limited resources and other challenges, students often did not receive significant information about access to higher education. Since many students were the first in their family to attend college, they relied on information from the school to help them navigate the process.

This study utilized a quantitative research methodology with survey research design to gain a comprehensive understanding of implementation and programmatic effectiveness. The researcher used a survey instrument based on the Milwaukee Public Schools Senior Exit Survey that was validated and tested for reliability by two or three experts in the field. The participants were rural, first-generation, low-income, minority students.

The results of research question 1, “What was the impact on college enrollment of rural, first-generation, low-income, minority students who attended schools that were serviced by a Carolina College Advising Corps member?” are that the impact of college enrollment of rural, first-generation, low-income, minority students who attended schools that were serviced by a Carolina College Advising Corps member is increased due to student engagement in postsecondary planning activities related to college enrollment with their college adviser.

The results of research question 2, “How have the gains from students affected by the presence of the Carolina College Advising Corps in this rural county been sustained?” are that the gains from students affected by the presence of the Carolina College Advising Corps in this rural county have been sustained by increased planning to enroll in college immediately following high school graduation.

The researcher recommends further research on postsecondary counseling in high schools to gain more understanding regarding the depth to which this is taking place. The researcher also recommends additional research regarding school counseling strategies that support students in pursuing and attaining higher education.

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