Abstract
Brief Literature Review
"With major strides in access to postsecondary education .. .it is tempting to assume that such progress has erased disparities in college enrollment and completion" (Engle & Tinto, 2008, p. 2). However, disparities still loom. For low-income, first-generation students, only 34% will earn degrees from public four-year institutions compared to 66% of their peers (Engle & Tinto, 2008). Yet, the plight towards educational attainment is often halted far before ever entering college. Low-income, first generation students are more likely to fall out of the academic pipeline due to inequality of educational resources, low educational aspirations, and poor academic preparation. (Choy, 2001; Gandara, 2001; Hsiao, 1992; Saenz, Hurtado, Barrera, Wolf, & Yeung, 2007). College preparation programs at the federal, state and local level provide support often not readily available (Hagedorn & Tierney, 2002).
Statement of the Problem
This study explored Upward Bound and the impact the program has on college persistence. The following research questions were addressed:
1. What has been the impact of Upward Bound on student persistence at UC Davis?
2. How can Upward Bound be enhanced to improve the persistence of low-income, first-generation students within the university?
3. What components of Upward Bound create an environment conducive for developing educational resiliency?
Methodology
A mixed method approach was used for this study and purposive sampling was used to select participants. A ten-question survey was emailed to participants, and the researcher conducted individual, structured interviews to reinforce findings allow for the emergence of new information.
Conclusions and Recommendations
For the participants in this study, Upward Bound had a positive impact on student persistence in the areas of academic preparation, adjustment to the university setting and persistence. Furthermore, positive student-staff relationships, a message of high expectations, and opportunities for leadership engagement created environments conducive for developing educational resilience. Most notably, the summer program had a lasting impact on student persistence, as the program prepared students for college life, instilled strong work ethics, and challenged students to think critically.