Masters Thesis

An exploration of emerging transition-age-youth at California State University, Stanislaus navigating formal and informal support networks and mentor connections

This study examines how Transitional-Aged youth (TAY) at California State University, Stanislaus describe their lived experiences with formal support networks and informal mentoring connections. Two specific research questions guided this study: 1) How do TAY students at California State University, Stanislaus utilize the institutionalized formal support services of the Promise Scholars Program to meet their needs? 2) How do TAY students at California State University, Stanislaus describe any informal natural connections or mentoring relationships they have related to their college success? Using Braun and Clark’s Thematic Analysis model the researcher asked students who were enrolled at California State University, Stanislaus during the 2018/2019 academic school year to complete a questionnaire as a means to gather information on their personal lived experiences in relation to formal support programs and mentors. In this exploratory study the researcher identified, analyzed, and coded themes that emerged from the participants’ responses, as well as analyzed frequencies of responses quantitatively. The findings revealed that more than ninety percent of the 12 participants prior to enrollment in college were unaware of the types of formal supportive services that were available to help support their successful outcomes on campus during enrollment. This study also found that more than ninety percent of the participants believed they benefit from having access to a supportive mentor or believed they could benefit if they had connected with a supportive mentor during their enrollment in college.

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