Latina/o Transfer Students and Community Cultural Wealth: Expanding the Transfer Receptive Culture Framework

Abstract

Existing research regarding the post-transfer experiences of Students of Color who transfer from the community college to a four-year college or university is limited. However, we know less about what Latina/o community college transfer students confront during the post-transfer transition process. Therefore, this study describes the post-transfer experiences of 10 Latina/o community college transfer students who transferred to a Predominantly White Institution in Texas. Using a case study approach, the goal of this study was to highlight how Latina/o community college transfer students used their cultural and social capitals to navigate and negotiate the post-transfer conditions at their new institution. The findings show that having transfer programming does not mean the institution is serving its transfer student community equitably. A limited transfer receptive culture by the university showed how Latina/o community college transfer students practiced their aspirational, familial, navigational, and social capitals as a response to the lack of financial aid resources, academic, and social support, at their receiving institution.