Socio-cultural Factors That Influence Transfer Latino Male Matriculation into Four-Year Higher Education Institutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine sociocultural factors that affect transfer Latino males attending four-year institutions and to answer the following questions: What are the common sociocultural factors that Latino males face while transferring from two-year colleges to four-year institutions? Furthermore, what are recommendations provided to higher education institutions, educators, parents, and Latino male students that have potential to increase Latino male attendance at four-year institutions? Five Latino males from Los Angeles, Ventura, and Santa Barbara Counties were interviewed using a qualitative approach. Six themes emerged from the interviews: prior education in participants’ family, professional guidance, academic performance, peer support, familial support, and being able to pay for college. Only two out of the four themes - familial support and being able to pay for college was evident in the literature review.