Exploring the Availability and Influence of LGBTQ+ Student Services Resources on Student Success at Community Colleges: A Mixed Methods Analysis

David J. Nguyen, G. Blue Brazelton, Kristen A. Renn, Michael R. Woodford

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapter

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

Two-year institutions educate a sizable proportion of college students; however, many of these institutions lack the variety of student support resources available at four-year institutions. An extensive body of scholarship has documented the positive influence of student services resources for diverse student populations at two-year colleges; yet, few studies have examined resources for students marginalized on the basis of gender identity and/or sexual orientation. Utilizing concurrent, mixed methods data from the National Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Student Success, guided by Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory, we examine the availability of LGBTQ+-specific resources and how they support student success. Specifically, utilizing data from 936 survey respondents, we compare the availability of LGBTQ+ resource centers, LGBTQ+ counseling services, LGBTQ+ career planning, and LGBTQ+ student organizations (Gay/Straight Alliance and LGBTQ+-student organizations) at two-year institutions to bachelor’s, master’s, anddoctoral degree-granting institutions. We also draw on 12 semi-structured interviews conducted with current or former community college students to explore the significance of the availability of identity-specific resources. The findings suggest that LGBTQ+-specific resources facilitated student-defined notions of academic and social success, yet a scarcity of such resources exists. We conclude with implications for practice and future research.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationThe Role of Student Affairs in Advancing Community College Student Success
Subtitle of host publicationAn Examination of Selected Contemporary Initiatives
PublisherTaylor and Francis
Pages40-62
Number of pages23
ISBN (Electronic)9781000652109
ISBN (Print)9780429278587
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 2019

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Social Sciences

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