AN ABSTRACT OF THE THESIS OF Karen M. Ast for the degree of Master of Science in College Student Services Administration presented on April 25, 2014 Title: Exploring the Lived Experiences of Rural Student College Transitions Abstract approved: _____________________________________________________________________________ David C. Kovac This study explores the lived experiences of first-year, rural, Oregon students in their initial entry to college. Through qualitative research involving one-on-one interviews with 10 participants, the author examines the transition of rural students into higher education, common experiences of rural students in their first term of college, and perceived barriers to postsecondary education for this population. Collective narratives resulted in six themes of an unexpected emotional and social transition to college, motivations for enrolling in college, lack of social and co-curricular involvement, new exposure to diversity and consciousness of a rural identity, prioritization of labor over education in rural communities, and rural secondary school systems as both a barrier and a catalyst for college success. The results of this research provide insight into the experiences of this somewhat unknown social identity in higher education. Implications for future studies and suggestions for improving the college transition for rural students are discussed. Keywords: rural college students, first-year students, rural America, rural education, rural youth out-migration ©Copyright by Karen M. Ast April 25, 2014 All Rights Reserved Exploring the Lived Experiences of Rural Student College Transitions by Karen M. Ast A THESIS submitted to Oregon State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science Presented April 25, 2014 Commencement June 2014 Master of Science thesis of Karen M. Ast presented on April 25, 2014. APPROVED: _________________________________________________________ Major Professor, representing College Student Services Administration _________________________________________________________ Dean of the College of Education _________________________________________________________ Dean of the Graduate School I understand that my thesis will become part of the permanent collection of Oregon State University libraries. My signature below authorizes release of my thesis to any reader upon request. _________________________________________ Karen M. Ast, Author ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study would not have been possible without the support of many individuals in my life. I would like to acknowledge the rural participants who were willing to share stories of their personal experiences into higher education. Your narratives reminded me not only of my own experience in a rural community, but fueled my passion for ensuring that all students have access to college. Thank you for your time, your openness, and your truth. Thank you to my major advisor and principal investigator Dr. Dave Kovac. Your knowledge of qualitative research methods, encouragement of my topic, and guidance throughout the past two years has been essential to my success. Your impact on my professional dreams has been tremendous and your caring nature constantly reminds me of why I am in student affairs. I look forward to having you as a friend and colleague for years to come. To my entire thesis committee, thank you for your support. Laurie Bridges has helped me through this entire process, from choosing rural education as a topic to writing a journal article. I appreciate your knowledge of both research and student affairs. Dr. Elizabeth Root allowed me to view rural student transitions as a cultural shift, not simply a college barrier. Thank you for aiding in my understanding of narrative inquiry methods. Thank you to Dr. Tony Wilcox for your time and service. Your wisdom was essential to the completion of my thesis. Without instruction on qualitative research methods, I would still be struggling to determine research questions. Thank you to Dr. Jessica White, Dr. Daniel Newhart, Dr. Janet Nishihara, and Clare Creighton for teaching me quality, ethical research practices. To Dr. Susie Brubaker-Cole, thank you for your financial support and encouragement of rural student research. Congratulations on your new role as the Vice Provost for Student Affairs. I appreciate the time and effort of the Registrar’s Office, specifically Rebecca Mathern and Amanda Champagne. Thank you for your assistance and patience in gathering data on first- year rural students. This was essential to my recruitment of these participants. I am thankful for members of the Rural Studies program, including Bruce Weber and Rich Sandler. Thank you for welcoming me into your courses. I appreciate Amber Mathiesen and members of Falls City for allowing me to experience a rural Oregon community first-hand. To each member of my College Student Services Administration cohort, know that I love you all. I am thankful for the experiences we have shared over the past two years. Specifically, thank you to Dith Pamp, Melisa Lopez, and Daniel Cardenas for your assistance in pilot interviews. I appreciate the support (and often sympathy) of others completing a thesis, including DJ Zissen, Dith Pamp, Jessica Martinez, Hannah Pynn, and Marigold Holmes. I am amazed by the continued support of past colleagues and mentors. Luke Mehall, thank you for your proof-reading skills and edits. Dr. Teddi Joyce, thank you for pushing me to enroll in graduate school, it is the best decision I have ever made. I am blessed to have you as a mentor and appreciate your encouragement, thoughts, and editing skills. To my family and friends, thank you for never giving up on me. To my supervisor, mentor, and friend LeeAnn Baker, words cannot express the impact you have had on my thesis and graduate school career. Thank you to my fiancé Aaron Ganss, who now knows almost as much about rural students as I do. You are my everything and I look forward to our life together. To my mother, Laura Ast, know that you are my hero. To my sister Wendy, father Victor, and nephew Justin, I love you. Thank you for allowing me to move to Oregon to pursue my dreams. Lastly, thank you to Monte Vista, Colorado, the rural community which has made me the person I am today. I am proud to say that I was, am, and will forever be a small town girl. TABLE OF CONTENTS Page Chapter One: Introduction ............................................................................. 1 Researcher Background and Subject Interest .................................... 2 Research Topic................................................................................... 3 Research Problem .............................................................................. 4 Research Questions ............................................................................ 6 Research Significance ........................................................................ 7 Definition of Terms............................................................................ 8 Chapter Two: Review of the Literature ......................................................... 11 High School Graduation and College Entry ...................................... 11 Cited Reasons for Low Rural College Student Enrollment ............... 14 First-year Rural Student College Experiences ................................... 29 First-year Students Summary ............................................................. 34 Literature Review Summary .............................................................. 35 Chapter Three: Methods ................................................................................ 36 Methodology ...................................................................................... 36 Tradition and Epistemology ............................................................... 37 Methodological Design ...................................................................... 38 Researcher Background ..................................................................... 40 Procedures .......................................................................................... 41 Participant Recruitment and Selection ............................................... 43 Data Collection Techniques ............................................................... 44 TABLE OF CONTENTS (Continued) Page Data Analysis ..................................................................................... 46 Ensuring Trustworthiness .................................................................. 48 Protecting Human Subjects ................................................................ 50 Methods Summary ............................................................................. 51 Chapter Four: Results .................................................................................... 53 Demographic Information .................................................................. 55 Question One: Transition from High School to College ................... 57 Question Two: Common Lived Experiences of Rural Students ........ 66 Question Three: Perceived Barriers Faced by Rural Students .......... 82 Results Summary ............................................................................... 94 Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendations ......................................... 96 Discussion .......................................................................................... 96 Recommendations ..............................................................................106 Limitations .........................................................................................113 Suggests for Future Research.............................................................115 Concluding Thoughts .........................................................................119 References ......................................................................................................120 LIST OF APPENDICES Page Appendices .....................................................................................................137 Appendix A: Oregon Rural High Schools .........................................138 Appendix B: Initial Recruitment Email .............................................141 Appendix C: Follow-up Recruitment Email ......................................142 Appendix D: Confirm Eligibility Email ............................................143 Appendix E: Confirmation Email ......................................................144 Appendix F: Reminder Email ............................................................145 Appendix G: Interview Questions .....................................................146 Appendix H: Demographic Questionnaire ........................................149 Appendix I: Explanation of Research (Consent Form)......................151 Appendix J: Axial Coding Results .....................................................152 Appendix K: Eight General Themes ..................................................161 Appendix L: Six General Themes......................................................163 Appendix M: Institutional Review Board Approval ..........................164 Appendix N: Institutional Review Board Protocol ............................165 Appendix O: Demographic Information ............................................175