Factors That Influence the Success of First-Generation, Low Income Latino Community College Students.

ABSTRACT\nFactors That Influence the Success of First Generation, Low Income, \nLatino, Community College Students\nBy\nJoseph A. Sandoval\n This doctoral dissertation studied the various factors that influence the success of first generation, low income, Latino, community college students in transferring to four-year colleges and universities. The participants in this study were eight first-generation, low-income Latino male, EOPS community college students. This qualitative inquiry used a descriptive case study methodology and explored the actual and lived experiences of these students through a brief questionnaire and semi-structured interviews. Validation Theory (Rendon) and Community Cultural Wealth Theory (Yosso) were used to analyze the participants??? stories who have overcome many personal, family and financial hardships to achieve their goal of a college education and who have successfully navigated the transfer admissions process to a four-year college or university. Significant findings indicated that family, faculty/mentors, peers/classmates, ganas/determination, individual/personal attributes, giving back to their family & community and becoming positive role models were the foremost factors that influenced their success in college completion amongst other things. These factors helped the participants successfully navigate the transfer admission to a four-year college or university.