Advancing Equity in Computer Science Through Community College Transfer Pathways

Abstract: Students who transfer from community colleges to four-year institutions (i.e., upward transfer students) represent a diverse and high-achieving group to support and retain in their computer science degree pursuits. As such, upward transfer can function as an important mechanism to advance equity in computer science. In this talk, Dr. Blaney will present findings from two research studies (Spencer 202000170; NSF 2044858) examining success among students who enter four-year computing programs after transferring from a community college, focusing on the experiences and successes of upward transfer women in particular. Findings will highlight 1) how upward transfer computing students differ from students who enter computing majors directly from high school; 2) the factors the predict success among upward transfer students; and 3) how upward transfer students make meaning of their post-transfer experiences at receiving universities. Additionally, Dr. Blaney will share emerging findings from her most recent study of upward transfer pathways to graduate study and academic careers in computer science. The talk will include a discussion of how faculty and practitioners can support students in their transition from community colleges to receiving four-year universities and throughout their degree pursuits. 

Bio: Jennifer M. Blaney, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Higher Education at Northern Arizona University, where she studies gender equity and college student development in STEM fields. She was the 2021 recipient of Northern Arizona University’s Most Promising New Research Scholar award, and her research has been published in leading higher education journals, including the Journal of Higher Education, Research in Higher Education, the Review of Higher Education, and many others. She earned her Ph.D. in Higher Education and Organizational Change from UCLA and worked as the Senior Data Manager on the BRAID Research Project before becoming a faculty member. More recently, Dr. Blaney has been studying community college pathways as a mechanism for broadening women's participation in computing and other STEM fields. Her research projects on transfer pathways in computing have been supported by the Spencer Foundation and the National Science Foundation.

Friday, Dec. 2nd, 12-1:00pm.

Lunch will be provided at 11:30am

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This talk is sponsored in part by a diagnostic grant from the Center for Inclusive Computing.