ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the characteristics of Hispanic-serving two-year institutions (HSIs), using data from a full census of these institutions. It draws on the Beginning Postsecondary Students (BPS) Longitudinal Study to examine the student characteristics, institutional characteristics, and transfers patterns of Hispanic students in Hispanic-serving community colleges over six academic years 2003-2004 to 2008-2009. The chapter compares the characteristics of students at two-year HSIs and two-year non-HSIs, using data from BPS Longitudinal Study. It reviews the general literature about student and institutional factors related to Hispanic student transfer. The chapter offers researchers, policymakers, and practitioner's ideas about what directions to pursue in serving critical population of students. It examines the individual characteristics of the total sample of Hispanic students who began in Hispanic-serving community colleges, and then compares these characteristics to those of the subset of Hispanic students who eventually transferred to four-year institutions. The chapter concludes with implications for research, policy, and practice.
