Welcome
Enabling Student Belonging with Data
Research
My recent dissertation research is a small qualitative study that explores the lack of capacity within school structures to provide historically underrepresented students with the kinds of personalized college-promoting networks, resources, and tools required in the postsecondary world. Although there are college-promoting nonprofit community-based organizations (CBOs) that provide some support, their assistance cannot sufficiently support students or ensure these students have college experiences that allow them to learn and work to completion. Finally and perhaps most importantly, my research suggests that there is a substantial challenge to students of color and first-generation college-goers despite their support systems because of the unwelcoming climates at most predominantly White institutions. A good match based on academic potential and even on financial ease will not be successful if students do not feel welcomed by the institution or the student body. Therefore, efforts to enhance support systems must include secondary schools, extracurricular organizations, and postsecondary institutions.
The information and findings of my dissertation can be utilized in the design and construction, as well as improvement of support systems within schools, CBOs, and postsecondary institutions, to better serve aspiring young leaders and scholars and first-generation college students as they seek to belong in the postsecondary world. My research provides stakeholders with a collaborative opportunity to design opportunity-centered interventions that thoughtfully address inequitable access, enable the availability of information about college admissions in recruitment and financial aid resources, and improve campus climates so that all students can thrive.