A native of Madrid, Spain, Cristina C. López (cclopezv@gmail.com) is a higher education administration professional with more than 17 years of experience in academia, non-profit, for-profit, and corporate sectors. Currently, she is Director of Career Services at St. Thomas University in Miami Gardens, Florida. She is a third year Ph.D. student in the Higher Education Leadership program at Florida Atlantic University, and holds a Master of Arts in Communication Arts and a Master of Business Administration from St. Thomas University. Ms. López is passionate about traveling and languages, and is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. Address: Florida
This article is a summary of a literature review and mixed methods study that analyzes the value ... more This article is a summary of a literature review and mixed methods study that analyzes the value or lack thereof of obtaining a college degree for students. The article specifically focuses on minority students who are first-generation college students with low socioeconomic status (SES) and a lack of role models at home. To conduct the study, the author posed the following questions: (1) What is the relationship between program completion rates and student success; (2) Which data tools can be used to best predict achievement of remunerative and rewarding employment of graduates; (3) What is the relationship between academic programs encompassing classroom learning and paid internships, community service, research projects, and college value; and (4) In what ways do financial factors affect at-risk students’ persistence?
Research findings show that there is a need for post-secondary institutions to provide training and support services to maximize the success rates of undergraduate students, particularly to at-risk students. Moreover, the study concludes that there is room for growth for institutions to address the needs of low SES, first-time in college (FTIC), at-risk students in many areas of the institution. In addition, universities should focus on improving access of at-risk students, retention, program completion, and access to rewarding careers.
The purpose of this research paper is to examine the organizational structure of the twelve publi... more The purpose of this research paper is to examine the organizational structure of the twelve public universities in the State of Florida in relation to Financial Aid. This paper will use data collected from documents of each of the twelve state universities to observe where the Financial Aid Offices structurally fall. In addition, the author will examine each state public university’s Financial Aid mission statement (or lack thereof), website, Financial Aid forms, newsletters and/or videos, and social media platforms. To describe the organizational structure of student Financial Aid Offices and portray the clarity of resources available to students of the State University System of Florida, the author collected and analyzed data from sources of evidence. The author selected a qualitative approach to focus on the structure, the availability, and user friendliness of services to students. The author carefully analyzed five documents to find the needed information: (1) mission statements, (2) websites, (3) forms, (4) newsletters and/or videos, and (5) social media platforms. See Appendix A. In terms of internal validity, this research study relied on “how research findings match reality” (Merriam, 2009, p. 213). The unit of analysis and delimitation for the scope of this paper was the State University System of Florida. Specifically, the sample included twelve universities. To validate this research, the author had direct access to the documents listed above. The sample consisted of twelve universities. The author’s interest in learning more about the State University System of Florida determined the selection of this target group. See Appendix B.
This article is a result of an in-depth literature review and qualitative study that addresses th... more This article is a result of an in-depth literature review and qualitative study that addresses the challenges Hispanics face as they conduct professional job searches. The article highlights the positive role media, such as company websites, classified ads, or LinkedIn, can play in aiding Latinos obtain professional employment. To better understand the role of media in job searches, the researcher investigated following questions: (1) Which media do Latinos use in general? (2) Do Latinos use media with a critical approach? (3) How does media advertise professional jobs and what methods do Latinos use for professional job searches? (4) Are present Latino media usage behaviors productive for career development and job searches? (5) What are some recommendations for career counseling for Latinos, and what recommendations can the author of this article make to companies for recruiting Latino professionals?
It is important to mention that the study is anecdotal, since the author studied a small sample of 17 individuals. Thus, study findings do not represent the entire U.S. Hispanic population. Results of this study suggest Hispanics under-use the web and other media for professional job searches, with the possibility that the more educated make better use of media when seeking professional positions. Additionally, the study found that career counselors do not possess adequate training in multicultural career advising, and they are not training Hispanics sufficiently in the use of media for their job searches. Finally, this study concludes there are limited Latino role models in leadership positions.
This article is a summary of a literature review and mixed methods study that analyzes the value ... more This article is a summary of a literature review and mixed methods study that analyzes the value or lack thereof of obtaining a college degree for students. The article specifically focuses on minority students who are first-generation college students with low socioeconomic status (SES) and a lack of role models at home. To conduct the study, the author posed the following questions: (1) What is the relationship between program completion rates and student success; (2) Which data tools can be used to best predict achievement of remunerative and rewarding employment of graduates; (3) What is the relationship between academic programs encompassing classroom learning and paid internships, community service, research projects, and college value; and (4) In what ways do financial factors affect at-risk students’ persistence?
Research findings show that there is a need for post-secondary institutions to provide training and support services to maximize the success rates of undergraduate students, particularly to at-risk students. Moreover, the study concludes that there is room for growth for institutions to address the needs of low SES, first-time in college (FTIC), at-risk students in many areas of the institution. In addition, universities should focus on improving access of at-risk students, retention, program completion, and access to rewarding careers.
The purpose of this research paper is to examine the organizational structure of the twelve publi... more The purpose of this research paper is to examine the organizational structure of the twelve public universities in the State of Florida in relation to Financial Aid. This paper will use data collected from documents of each of the twelve state universities to observe where the Financial Aid Offices structurally fall. In addition, the author will examine each state public university’s Financial Aid mission statement (or lack thereof), website, Financial Aid forms, newsletters and/or videos, and social media platforms. To describe the organizational structure of student Financial Aid Offices and portray the clarity of resources available to students of the State University System of Florida, the author collected and analyzed data from sources of evidence. The author selected a qualitative approach to focus on the structure, the availability, and user friendliness of services to students. The author carefully analyzed five documents to find the needed information: (1) mission statements, (2) websites, (3) forms, (4) newsletters and/or videos, and (5) social media platforms. See Appendix A. In terms of internal validity, this research study relied on “how research findings match reality” (Merriam, 2009, p. 213). The unit of analysis and delimitation for the scope of this paper was the State University System of Florida. Specifically, the sample included twelve universities. To validate this research, the author had direct access to the documents listed above. The sample consisted of twelve universities. The author’s interest in learning more about the State University System of Florida determined the selection of this target group. See Appendix B.
This article is a result of an in-depth literature review and qualitative study that addresses th... more This article is a result of an in-depth literature review and qualitative study that addresses the challenges Hispanics face as they conduct professional job searches. The article highlights the positive role media, such as company websites, classified ads, or LinkedIn, can play in aiding Latinos obtain professional employment. To better understand the role of media in job searches, the researcher investigated following questions: (1) Which media do Latinos use in general? (2) Do Latinos use media with a critical approach? (3) How does media advertise professional jobs and what methods do Latinos use for professional job searches? (4) Are present Latino media usage behaviors productive for career development and job searches? (5) What are some recommendations for career counseling for Latinos, and what recommendations can the author of this article make to companies for recruiting Latino professionals?
It is important to mention that the study is anecdotal, since the author studied a small sample of 17 individuals. Thus, study findings do not represent the entire U.S. Hispanic population. Results of this study suggest Hispanics under-use the web and other media for professional job searches, with the possibility that the more educated make better use of media when seeking professional positions. Additionally, the study found that career counselors do not possess adequate training in multicultural career advising, and they are not training Hispanics sufficiently in the use of media for their job searches. Finally, this study concludes there are limited Latino role models in leadership positions.
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Papers by Cristina Lopez Vergara
Research findings show that there is a need for post-secondary institutions to provide training and support services to maximize the success rates of undergraduate students, particularly to at-risk students. Moreover, the study concludes that there is room for growth for institutions to address the needs of low SES, first-time in college (FTIC), at-risk students in many areas of the institution. In addition, universities should focus on improving access of at-risk students, retention, program completion, and access to rewarding careers.
To describe the organizational structure of student Financial Aid Offices and portray the clarity of resources available to students of the State University System of Florida, the author collected and analyzed data from sources of evidence. The author selected a qualitative approach to focus on the structure, the availability, and user friendliness of services to students. The author carefully analyzed five documents to find the needed information: (1) mission statements, (2) websites, (3) forms, (4) newsletters and/or videos, and (5) social media platforms. See Appendix A.
In terms of internal validity, this research study relied on “how research findings match reality” (Merriam, 2009, p. 213). The unit of analysis and delimitation for the scope of this paper was the State University System of Florida. Specifically, the sample included twelve universities. To validate this research, the author had direct access to the documents listed above.
The sample consisted of twelve universities. The author’s interest in learning more about the State University System of Florida determined the selection of this target group. See Appendix B.
It is important to mention that the study is anecdotal, since the author studied a small sample of 17 individuals. Thus, study findings do not represent the entire U.S. Hispanic population. Results of this study suggest Hispanics under-use the web and other media for professional job searches, with the possibility that the more educated make better use of media when seeking professional positions. Additionally, the study found that career counselors do not possess adequate training in multicultural career advising, and they are not training Hispanics sufficiently in the use of media for their job searches. Finally, this study concludes there are limited Latino role models in leadership positions.
Research findings show that there is a need for post-secondary institutions to provide training and support services to maximize the success rates of undergraduate students, particularly to at-risk students. Moreover, the study concludes that there is room for growth for institutions to address the needs of low SES, first-time in college (FTIC), at-risk students in many areas of the institution. In addition, universities should focus on improving access of at-risk students, retention, program completion, and access to rewarding careers.
To describe the organizational structure of student Financial Aid Offices and portray the clarity of resources available to students of the State University System of Florida, the author collected and analyzed data from sources of evidence. The author selected a qualitative approach to focus on the structure, the availability, and user friendliness of services to students. The author carefully analyzed five documents to find the needed information: (1) mission statements, (2) websites, (3) forms, (4) newsletters and/or videos, and (5) social media platforms. See Appendix A.
In terms of internal validity, this research study relied on “how research findings match reality” (Merriam, 2009, p. 213). The unit of analysis and delimitation for the scope of this paper was the State University System of Florida. Specifically, the sample included twelve universities. To validate this research, the author had direct access to the documents listed above.
The sample consisted of twelve universities. The author’s interest in learning more about the State University System of Florida determined the selection of this target group. See Appendix B.
It is important to mention that the study is anecdotal, since the author studied a small sample of 17 individuals. Thus, study findings do not represent the entire U.S. Hispanic population. Results of this study suggest Hispanics under-use the web and other media for professional job searches, with the possibility that the more educated make better use of media when seeking professional positions. Additionally, the study found that career counselors do not possess adequate training in multicultural career advising, and they are not training Hispanics sufficiently in the use of media for their job searches. Finally, this study concludes there are limited Latino role models in leadership positions.