Abstract
Purpose. This dissertation sought to find the most significant personal strategies and institutional support used by Latino males who successfully complete transfer requirements in the Los Angeles Community College District and determined what factors most contribute to Latino academic success. The study begins with a review of literature and theories on the subject of Latinos in education, inequalities of higher education, and the significance of gender differences in education. Methodology. Quantitative methods were employed and a specifically designed survey was deployed to 120 Latino male Los Angeles community college students who are academically successful. Descriptive statistics and ex post facto analysis were used to interpret the data. Findings. The services which were most associated with academic success were counseling center services, financial scholarship programs, transfer center, library services, and academic advising. The individual factors which translated to academic success in the Latino community of Los Angeles were expectations I have for myself, motivation to graduate, interest in a specific career, ability to speak/understand English, and relationship with my family. Self-efficacy was the strategy most associated with academic success. The institutional factor most attributed to academic success was student services. Recommendations. (a) Tailored programs to meet the needs of Latino students and foster transfer as well as relationships with 4-year institutions and the students who transfer; (b) a community-based mentoring program within Los Angeles where other successful Latino males "step up" and contribute to Latino males in communities colleges; (c) further studies on academically successful Latino males with even higher GPAs; (d) qualitative analysis of this same population; (e) studies using a more classic model of self-efficacy.