Eichas, K., Gutierrez, S., & Howard, B. (2026). The effects of dual enrollment on identity capital: A study of community college students. (Report No. 202601). Clinton David Dennard Center for Changing Lives. http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.21764947

This study uses the identity capital model (Côté & Levine, 2015) as a conceptual framework for investigating the effects of dual enrollment on higher educational attainment. The sample included 788 community college students. Findings from structural equation modeling with propensity score weighting revealed that dual enrollment had positive effects on academic momentum and identity horizons in the first semester of college and the probability of upward transfer to a four-year university two years later. These findings contribute to investigation of the impact of college transition programs by highlighting the need to examine effects on both tangible and intangible identity resources.