Colombia y los estudios sobre clases medias negras

The first major finding of this study that all participants indicated was that every student should participate in the new reverse transfer credit program as it was perceived as a

benefit. As defined previously, by participating, students are choosing to opt-in to the reverse transfer credit program. For the purpose of this study, opting-in indicates a student who applies to Iowa State University (ISU) and authorizes the release of academic records from ISU to a previously attended community college for the purposes of credit evaluation to determine eligibility to receive an associate’s degree by the community college. Participant’s felt strongly there was no reason not to participate and reaffirmed that it is a win-win

situation for a student. Jake shared his insights on why the reverse transfer credit program was a benefit for any student considering participating:

I think it’s great that it’s awarded automatically because in my particular case I was struggling a bit right before I got a degree and it kind of made me feel better about myself (like school wise). I was like hey, I’ve already

completed this, I’ve got enough time to do this. I can keep building on that.

Jake further discussed some additional benefits of participating in the reverse transfer program. He discussed in detail the benefits he received and believes other student’s would receive upon completion:

I think the main benefit is that you can have a degree to fall back on if you do not complete your bachelor's degree. Having at least an associate's degree makes you more marketable in the workplace. Another benefit of having actual university experience is bigger more diverse classes and students, often more demanding classes and professors compared to only going to a

community college, and many more opportunities to be involved in groups or do networking.

Jake also shared there would be no reason to not participate in the reverse transfer program and felt all students should elect to participate:

No, there is no reason a student should opt out of this program because there are no downsides or risks (financial, educational, or otherwise) involved for the student. The literal worst case is that you lost nothing but gain some sort of knowledge from the experience.

Calvin also indicated the reverse transfer credit agreement is a benefit for students. Calvin discussed the influence as only positive:

Actually, at this point it’s only going to help you and it doesn’t hurt you. Your credits go back to your older school. At this point your credits are there. All the classes that you passed, it doesn’t hurt to transfer them back over there. I think I would recommend that to everyone.

Susan also indicated the importance and benefit to participating in the reverse transfer credit agreement. Susan felt strongly that a student should take full advantage of any

opportunities presented to them especially when there are no negative influences.

Take full advantage of that fact that you can do it (reverse transfer). Not all colleges do that with the connecting community college so take full advantage of the opportunity that is given you here and the opportunity that it gives you at the community college. (Susan)

Although this finding did not have a connection to the research questions, it does support the overarching research regarding the benefits of education for students, and the influence of the new reverse transfer credit agreement. All participants of this study indicated every transfer student should participate in the new reverse transfer credit agreement as it was perceived as a benefit. Degree completion has become more important as state funding continues to decrease and students continue to bear the burden of rising tuition (Pernsteiner & King, 2015). In order to handle these major economic downturns students and their families have had to bear the costs of tuition at a higher and higher level. According to the State Higher Education Finance report for fiscal 2014 by the State Higher Education

Executive Officers association, tuition dollars in 2014 made up 47.1 percent of public higher education revenues, down slightly from last year’s level of 47.7 percent, an all-time high. (Woodhouse, 2015).

Several of the participants detailed their reason for leaving Iowa State University prior to completion was due to financial constraints. Susan shared that her family had a financial crisis and had no choice but to stop going to school to help financially support her family. Jake shared that stopping school to work was a decision he made in order to save money for a while. Both Jake and Susan believed the receipt of an associate’s degree through the new reverse transfer credit agreement enabled them to obtain their current job as well as promote faster.

The higher earnings generated by the associate degree is helping each of these participants save money, and plan for their future goal of returning to school to complete their bachelor’s degree. This commitment to their educational goals is increased or decreased depending on the quality and quantity of academic and social experiences. If students

experience positive and rewarding academic and social experiences, they will become integrated into the institution. Tinto (1993) stated that greater integration leads to higher retention rates. Moreover, Pascarella and Terenzini (1991) posited that “…negative interactions and experiences tend to reduce integration, to distance the individual from the academic and social communities of the institution, promoting the individual’s marginality and, ultimately, withdrawal” (p. 53). Calvin also dropped out of Iowa State University but later returned to complete his bachelor’s degree. Although he currently believed his

bachelor’s degree has had the most influence on his current job attainment he believes every student who is eligible should obtain their associates degree through reverse transfer as it

“…is only a benefit to have a degree.” Calvin’s return to ISU and his persistence through