InterActions: UCLA Journal of Education and Information Studies

There is little research that explores young children’s understandings of college. Scholarship that focuses on developing college readiness among youth, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, notes that formation of college aspirations by fifth grade is critical. Utilizing fieldnotes from undergraduates who participated in after-school club at a local community school, this paper aims to answer the following question: How do undergraduate students mediate kids’ understandings of college and build on their college knowledge? The findings will better inform educators about how to better develop elementary aged children’s college readiness.