An Examination of First-generation Female College Students Participating in a Rural East Texas Upward Bound Program
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (Ed.D)
Department
Higher Education Leadership
Date of Award
Spring 2017
Abstract
The purpose of this case study was to examine first-generation female college students participating in a rural East Texas Upward Bound program. The researcher sought to explore the characteristics, influences, motivations, concerns, and advantages of first-generation female college students participating in a rural East Texas Upward Bound program. The researcher employed a purposeful sampling method to recruit participants for the study. The data collection included a demographic questionnaire and semi-structured, individual interviews to gather information on participants’ experiences with the Upward Bound program. Responses from all collected data were transcribed, sorted, analyzed, and coded for emerging categories and themes. Four categories and 21 themes emerged from the data. Categories included dominant characteristics of students, influencing and motivating factors, major concerns, and major advantages of students. Themes included age, education, ethnicity, living situation, parent education level, extracurricular activities, job status, Upward Bound awareness, parental/family influences, financial motivation, experience as motivation, self-improvement, school influences, financial concerns, distance, navigation, difficulty, environment, preparation, confidence, and experience.
Advisor
Madeline Justice
Subject Categories
Education | Educational Leadership | Higher Education
Recommended Citation
Clements-Bilbo, Meredith Lauren, "An Examination of First-generation Female College Students Participating in a Rural East Texas Upward Bound Program" (2017). Electronic Theses & Dissertations. 771.
https://digitalcommons.tamuc.edu/etd/771
