Leaps of Faith: Stories from Working–Class Scholars

Abstract

Working-class scholars are a unique and sometimes marginalized population in higher education due to their upbringings that may be starkly different from those of their colleagues. Many times, they are first-generation college students who struggled with underpreparedness, inability to afford college, and feelings of otherness. Leaps of Faith: Stories from Working-Class Scholars presents the personal narratives of 23 such scholars. Each with a unique story, there are shared themes among the narratives, including the challenges of varied cultural upbringings; overcoming imposter syndrome; first-generation college student status; grit and resilience; and the importance of possessing social and cultural capital. In 20 chapters, some of which are coauthored, the scholars chronicle their journeys to, through, and beyond higher education