View in EDS

'I'm Going to College': Protective Factors Shaping the College-Going Identity of Prospective First-Generation College Students of Color

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: 'I'm Going to College': Protective Factors Shaping the College-Going Identity of Prospective First-Generation College Students of Color
Language: English
Authors: Joseph M. Williams, Yakob Lemma, Nina R. Schoonover, Morgan Rustia, Ben Allen
Source: Journal of College Access. 2026 11(2):9-29.
Availability: Journal of College Access. 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Web site: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jca/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 23
Publication Date: 2026
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Junior High Schools
Middle Schools
Secondary Education
Descriptors: First Generation College Students, Low Income Students, Minority Group Students, Middle School Students, Self Concept, Academic Aspiration, Orientation, Cultural Influences, Family Influence, Expectation, Peer Relationship
ISSN: 2333-715X
Abstract: A college-going identity reflects a mindset in which individuals view college as a realistic, attainable, and desirable goal. It is characterized by the belief that higher education is a vital part of one's educational journey and is accompanied by a strong aspiration to earn a degree. For students from low-income and marginalized backgrounds, this identity serves as a critical protective factor, buffering against systemic inequities, resource limitations, and low expectations that often shape their educational experiences. This qualitative study examines the protective factors shaping the college-going identity of prospective first -generation, low-income middle school students of color (N = 17). Centering students' voices, the findings illuminate how aspirations emerge through a complex interplay of personal motivation, family and cultural values, peer support, and institutional gaps. Implications for school counselors and educators are discussed.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2026
Accession Number: EJ1506662
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
  Availability: 0
CustomLinks:
  – Url: https://eric.ed.gov/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=EJ1506662
    Name: ERIC Full Text
    Category: fullText
    Text: Full Text from ERIC
Header DbId: eric
DbLabel: ERIC
An: EJ1506662
AccessLevel: 3
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: 'I'm Going to College': Protective Factors Shaping the College-Going Identity of Prospective First-Generation College Students of Color
– Name: Language
  Label: Language
  Group: Lang
  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Joseph+M%2E+Williams%22">Joseph M. Williams</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Yakob+Lemma%22">Yakob Lemma</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Nina+R%2E+Schoonover%22">Nina R. Schoonover</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Morgan+Rustia%22">Morgan Rustia</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ben+Allen%22">Ben Allen</searchLink>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Journal+of+College+Access%22"><i>Journal of College Access</i></searchLink>. 2026 11(2):9-29.
– Name: Avail
  Label: Availability
  Group: Avail
  Data: Journal of College Access. 1903 W. Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008. Web site: http://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jca/
– Name: PeerReviewed
  Label: Peer Reviewed
  Group: SrcInfo
  Data: Y
– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
  Group: Src
  Data: 23
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: TypeDocument
  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Audience
  Label: Education Level
  Group: Audnce
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Higher+Education%22">Higher Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Postsecondary+Education%22">Postsecondary Education</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Junior+High+Schools%22">Junior High Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Middle+Schools%22">Middle Schools</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="EL" term="%22Secondary+Education%22">Secondary Education</searchLink>
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22First+Generation+College+Students%22">First Generation College Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Low+Income+Students%22">Low Income Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Minority+Group+Students%22">Minority Group Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Middle+School+Students%22">Middle School Students</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Self+Concept%22">Self Concept</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Academic+Aspiration%22">Academic Aspiration</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Orientation%22">Orientation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Cultural+Influences%22">Cultural Influences</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Family+Influence%22">Family Influence</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Expectation%22">Expectation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Peer+Relationship%22">Peer Relationship</searchLink>
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 2333-715X
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: A college-going identity reflects a mindset in which individuals view college as a realistic, attainable, and desirable goal. It is characterized by the belief that higher education is a vital part of one's educational journey and is accompanied by a strong aspiration to earn a degree. For students from low-income and marginalized backgrounds, this identity serves as a critical protective factor, buffering against systemic inequities, resource limitations, and low expectations that often shape their educational experiences. This qualitative study examines the protective factors shaping the college-going identity of prospective first -generation, low-income middle school students of color (N = 17). Centering students' voices, the findings illuminate how aspirations emerge through a complex interplay of personal motivation, family and cultural values, peer support, and institutional gaps. Implications for school counselors and educators are discussed.
– Name: AbstractInfo
  Label: Abstractor
  Group: Ab
  Data: As Provided
– Name: DateEntry
  Label: Entry Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2026
– Name: AN
  Label: Accession Number
  Group: ID
  Data: EJ1506662
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=eric&AN=EJ1506662
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 23
        StartPage: 9
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: First Generation College Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Low Income Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Minority Group Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Middle School Students
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Self Concept
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Academic Aspiration
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Orientation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Cultural Influences
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Family Influence
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Expectation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Peer Relationship
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: 'I'm Going to College': Protective Factors Shaping the College-Going Identity of Prospective First-Generation College Students of Color
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Joseph M. Williams
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Yakob Lemma
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Nina R. Schoonover
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Morgan Rustia
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Ben Allen
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 01
              M: 01
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-electronic
              Value: 2333-715X
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 11
            – Type: issue
              Value: 2
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: Journal of College Access
              Type: main
ResultId 1