Beyond providing access to services for Southeast Asian American community college students: The critical role of providing access to caring and validating agents

Beyond providing access to services for Southeast Asian American community college students: The critical role of providing access to caring and validating agents

This study challenges the findings from previous research that suggest use of campus services is primarily a function of providing access to services for Southeast Asian American (SEAA) college students. Using data from the Community College Success Measure, this study examines institutional actions that contribute to use of campus services among SEAA community college students. Findings from the structural equation modeling analysis indicate that interactions with caring and validating agents were directly related to service use while providing student access to services was not directly associated with use of services. Providing access to services was indirectly related to use of services through its relationship with opportunities to interact with validating agents. The author concludes with institutional actions that community colleges should consider to increase service use among SEAA students.

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