Experiences of Students of Color and First-Generation Students: A Case Study of a Living-Learning Community

Abstract

At the request of Model University administration, a team of Vanderbilt University EdD students in Higher Education Leadership and Policy investigated the impacts of Model’s Residential Community (RC) system on students of color and first-generation students. Utilizing a mixed methods approach including quantitative analyses of institutional survey data (Your First College Year and National Survey of Student Engagement), qualitative interviews with student participants, and a document analysis of publicly available documents about the RC system, the team posed two questions:

What programming and resources are needed via the RC model to support students of color and first-generation students in campus life and academics? To what extent do the RC model offerings align with the needs and desired outcomes by Model for students of color and first-generation students?