Breaking the tradeoff between school and work: community college voices on navigating work and school roles / Lisette Nieves.

Format:

Book

Manuscript

Thesis/Dissertation

Author/Creator:

Nieves, Lisette, author.

Contributor:

Harper, Shaun R., 1975- degree supervisor, degree committee member.

Kanter, Martha, degree committee member.

Kaplan, Eric, degree committee member.

University of Pennsylvania. Higher Education Management, degree granting institution.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Penn dissertations--Education.

Education--Penn dissertations.

Penn dissertations--Higher Education Management.

Higher Education Management--Penn dissertations.

Local Subjects:

Penn dissertations--Education.

Education--Penn dissertations.

Penn dissertations--Higher Education Management.

Higher Education Management--Penn dissertations.

Physical Description:

x, 152 leaves ; 29 cm

Production:

[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania] : University of Pennsylvania, 2016.

Summary:

As an increasing number of students engage in part-time or full-time work while attending school, this research aims to better understand the worker lens of low-income, first-generation, full-time community college students. Managing completion pressures and expectations for community college students requires a rethinking and understanding of who the working student is and how to combine a high respect for work with strong academic motivation. Through the process of narrative inquiry, this research study highlighted the voices of 59 community college students who sought to integrate both work and school in their lives given that both fulfilled unique roles and aspirations; and through their stories confirmed that work does not serve as a distraction but rather supports a central identity and role for low-income young adults. Students who valued school and work equally prided themselves on their work ethic, irrespective of type of work and their contribution to their families. School was also valued and was the link to long-term career goals, with students relying heavily on their learning community for support. Community colleges that seek workforce partners and/or greater curriculum alignment are needed to capture the interest and encourage persistence and completion of low-income, first-generation students who manifest a worker lens.

Notes:

Ed. D. University of Pennsylvania 2016.

Department: Higher Education Management.

Supervisor: Shaun R. Harper.

Includes bibliographical references.