Defying the Statistics: Latinx Students\u27 Journeys from ESL to the Honors College at the Community College

This qualitative study explored the factors that contributed to community colleges students’ successful completion of the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) program for English Language Learners (ELLs) and entrance into the Honors College at Miami Dade College. The purpose of this study was to develop a mid-level theory about the factors and processes that facilitate this success for these students. A phenomenological and grounded theory approach and analysis was used to discover the lived experiences of these students and to construct a mid-level theory that helps capture their experiences. The study was conducted at a mid-size campus of a large, Hispanic-serving mostly two-year institution (HSI) located in Southeastern Florida. Data was gathered from students using a one-on-one, semi-structured interview format designed to identify the factors that contributed to participants’ journeys from the EAP program to the Honors College. The major themes and processes that led to the students’ journey are explicated from their interview data. Implications of the study including findings for community college administrators, Honors College administrators, faculty and support services are discussed