Date of Award
5-2026
Document Type
Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
College/School
College for Community Health
Department/Program
Family Science and Human Development
Thesis Sponsor/Dissertation Chair/Project Chair
Pauline Garcia-Reid
Committee Member
Kathryn Herr
Committee Member
Pearl Stewart
Abstract
This qualitative study used the Community Cultural Wealth (CCW) framework to describe the impact participation in New Jersey’s Educational Opportunity Fund (EOF) program had on the life trajectories of thirteen first-generation Black and Latina/e/o alumni. Findings suggest that authentic relationships between participants and EOF institutional agents created non-judgmental healing spaces where students could honor their cultural wealth and use it to enhance their college experiences. As higher education practitioners seek to increase positive outcomes for students from marginalized backgrounds, this study’s findings provide evidence for adopting EOF practices and investing in intentional screening and hiring practices to identify professionals equipped to lead from an authentic place of care and concern.
File Format
Recommended Citation
Magliulo, Sabrina, "Through the Eyes of Alumni: Transformative Power of EOF for First-Generation College Students from Racially/Ethnically and Economically Marginalized Backgrounds" (2026). Theses, Dissertations and Culminating Projects. 1715.
https://digitalcommons.montclair.edu/etd/1715
Included in
Education Economics Commons, Family, Life Course, and Society Commons, Inequality and Stratification Commons