Influence of Community College Personnel on Degree Aspirations and Upward Transfer intentions of Hospitality Management Students in California Community Colleges

Two hundred and four students completed a web-based questionnaire distributed to a stratified sample of California community college students (n = 2,300) enrolled in hospitality management or related programs to assess the influence of community college personnel on students' degree aspirations and upward transfer of community college students to four-year degree programs. Faculty interaction, transfer services, and general support services were statistically significant in explaining degree aspirations and the likelihood of upward transfer; demographic variables were not. The results suggest community colleges can positively influence students' degree aspirations and upward transfer intentions. Implications include creating opportunities to educate students about upward transfer and influence their degree aspirations, improving future job opportunities.