Follow Me to the Baccalaureate: Reflections and Advice from African American Community College Transfer Student Journeys

How can African American community college students aspiring to four-year degrees translate aspiration into attainment? This qualitative study explored experiences of 18 African American community college students who transferred to a research university and earned baccalaureate degrees. An integration of Padilla's (1999) model of minority student success and a component of Yosso's (2005) community cultural wealth model framed this investigation. Selected findings suggest students practiced habits that supported achievement and utilized aspirational capital to earn four-year degrees. Students offered four key pieces of advice to others following their path: stay focused, get connected, be prepared, and do your best.