Date of Award
2022
Document Type
Dissertation
Publication Status
Version of Record
Submission Date
October 2026
Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]
Floyd, Deborah L.
Thesis/Dissertation Co-Chair
Maslin-Ostrowski, Patricia
Abstract
A review of the literature revealed the need to further explore continuing-generation college students attending community colleges. This case study sought to understand the choice process of continuing-generation, direct-entry college students who enrolled in Miami Dade College (MDC), a baccalaureate community college. This research was planned prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, yet was conducted during the pandemic, creating a unique context for the study. A total of 25 participants were interviewed, including continuing-generation students, parents/family members, and high school personnel. This study used Hossler and Gallagher’s (1987) choice model as the conceptual framework to address how and why continuing-generation college students decided to pursue higher education in a community college rather than a traditional four-year college or university. The study derived five findings: financial considerations, addressing affordability and cost in the choice process; family influence and support, describing the role family play in the college selection process; proximity and accessibility, addressing how MDC is a good choice for being “close to home” and being accessible to students who may not have otherwise accessed higher education; institutional reputation, and its importance in the selection process as related to students’ knowledge of MDC, transferability options, faculty and opportunities; and college preparedness, addressing the choice process in terms of student exposure, academic readiness, and college transfer preparedness.
Extent
196 p.
Recommended Citation
Perez, Georgette T., "A CASE STUDY OF THE COLLEGE CHOICE PROCESS FOR CONTINUING-GENERATION COLLEGE STUDENTS AT MIAMI DADE COLLEGE DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC" (2022). Electronic Theses and Dissertations 2020 - Present. 850.
https://digitalcommons.fau.edu/etd_general/850
Identifier
FA00013923
Comments
Includes bibliography.|Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2022.|FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection|Includes bibliography.