Abstract
Purpose. The study identified effective validating practices used in transfer centers with EOP&S students at three Southern California community colleges. Methodology. The study used a self-report survey design. The researcher adapted an existing instrument with a panel of experts from EOP&S and transfer center staff at each college. The survey was field-tested with EOP&S students at the colleges and administered to EOP&S students who applied or intended to apply to a 4-year college for Fall 2009. The sample size was small but yielded a return rate of 80%, a fair representation of the initial group. Findings. Students' responses reflected the range of scores, but most students felt strongly that validation contributed to their ability to succeed. Students identified EOP&S staff as their mentors and benefited from field trips to 4-year universities and application workshops provided by the transfer centers. Conclusions. Validation occurs for EOP&S students primarily from the EOP&S program. The majority of students in the study named EOP&S staff as their mentors, but the transfer center is an important supplement for students who apply or intend to apply to a 4-year college or university. Recommendations. Most students in the study visited a college or university before applying. Further studies might address the importance of this intervention. The relationship between funding and validation needs to be explored. Do students develop mentoring relationships with staff in the EOP&S program because protected funding allows EOP&S to provide more services? In addition, further study is needed to determine the skill sets needed for validation. The sample size for this study was small. Replicating this study at other community colleges would reinforce the findings.