Congratulations to Marie Kropp who on Wednesday, June 5, 2024 successfully defended her dissertation. The title of Marie’s dissertation is: Community College Transfer Advisors' Use of Self: A Qualitative Study That Considers Concepts of Self and Critical Reflection.
Much public discourse surrounds the intractable problem for some community college students in attaining a bachelor’s degree through vertical transfer. Scholars share that 80% of entering community college students plan to transfer; yet, this intent to transfer is somehow diverted for most (Jenkins & Fink, 2016). Recognizing the role advisors play in supporting transfer student success, this qualitative study sought to understand how community college advisors cultivated reflexive practices that enabled them to notice power, privilege, bias in themselves and others. Using Brookfield’s (2017) theory of critical reflection, this study considered how community college transfer advisors’ social identities (positionality) informed their advising interactions; how community college transfer advisors cultivated critical reflection in their advising interactions; and how community college transfer advisors understood the connection between critical reflection, advancing social justice, and emancipatory thinking in advising interactions. Her analysis of interviews with 18 participants yielded three themes: 1) Decision-Making: “It’s Not My Decision; It’s Your Decision”; 2) Use of Self: “The Only Time I’ll Share”; and 3) Resignation: “The Best That I Can Do.”
Committee members enjoyed a vibrant dialogue about her important and timely findings. Bravo!
Dissertation Committee Chair:
Dr. Susan V. Iverson
Dissertation Committee Members:
Dr. Angela Clark-Taylor
Dr. Michael J. Sparrow
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