Rural students are the least likely to enroll in college immediately following high school graduation (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2016). A case study in the Midwest of one rural class of graduating high seniors identifies socio-academic integrative experiences described by Deil-Amen (2011) as critical to establishing familiarity and building confidence for rural students transitioning into college. Absent this connection and familiarity, institutions are easily dismissed with the community college particularly valued as a familiar place where individuals perceived they could be successful.
Dr. Marci Rockey of the Office of Community College Research and Leadership will present this talk at the 2019 Midwest First-Year Conference.
