. 2021 Fall;20(3):ar48. doi: 10.1187/cbe.20-06-0121

TABLE 5.

Summary of themes and implications^a

Themes	Implications
Grades are not everything: Students report the importance of research experiences and professional connections in the university, in contrast to an emphasis on high grades in community college and high school Contrasting roles of family: Cultural knowledge of FG students is not necessarily recognized in traditional higher education settings Variable metrics of success among faculty: Students perceive high variability in how individual faculty and different departments defined success in the university	More university partnerships with community colleges to support transfer students’ entry into research and professional programs Increased access to mentorship opportunities with faculty in the initial transition to the university Access to advising that introduces students to resources before the transition to university An improved collaborative network of support between STEM faculty and professional advising that increases access to meaningful advising and mentorship experiences for prospective transfer students

Themes

Implications

Grades are not everything: Students report the importance of research experiences and professional connections in the university, in contrast to an emphasis on high grades in community college and high school
Contrasting roles of family: Cultural knowledge of FG students is not necessarily recognized in traditional higher education settings
Variable metrics of success among faculty: Students perceive high variability in how individual faculty and different departments defined success in the university

More university partnerships with community colleges to support transfer students’ entry into research and professional programs
Increased access to mentorship opportunities with faculty in the initial transition to the university
Access to advising that introduces students to resources before the transition to university
An improved collaborative network of support between STEM faculty and professional advising that increases access to meaningful advising and mentorship experiences for prospective transfer students

^aThe themes emerging from our data have several implications for institutional practices and interventions relating to partnerships, mentoring, and advising.