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Doctoral Dissertation Defense
of
Jennifer E. Lange

For the degree of

Doctor of Education, Interprofessional Leadership

Centering The Voices of Community Assets in Building a Collaborative Framework For Advancing Latinx Adult Career Education Networks

June 8, 2026
1:30 p.m.
:

Meeting ID: 297 398 371 595 94

Passcode: LL93WP6g

Centering The Voices of Community Assets in Building a Collaborative Framework For Advancing Latinx Adult Career Education Networks

This case study examines a postsecondary career education ecosystem in the San Francisco Bay Area to explore how existing Promise Neighborhood collaborators could enable more Latinx adult participation in career-building education. The study focuses on a highly diverse, historically marginalized majority-minority community where Latinx residents have the lowest local educational attainment. Employing an asset-based ecological perspective, this study utilizes a community-centric methodology drawing from multiple theoretical frameworks and research approaches. The methodology evolved adaptively to accommodate ongoing fallout from federal immigration actions and funding cuts. Data was gathered via semiformal conversations with middle leaders at postsecondary education providers and community service organizations and website analysis, and it is presented in both individual and collective case accounts that highlight participants’ voices. Three themes emerged from these conversations: (1) Navigation: the Educational Throughline; (2) Trust, Belonging, and Inclusion; and (3) Language and Literacy. Formulating these themes led to a preliminary Collaborative Framework for Advancing Latinx Adult Career Education. The Framework emphasizes that systemic change requires service providers to shift how they engage Latinx adult learners and prioritize community services embedded in career pathways from continuing education to career. Collective action and ongoing community engagement are vital to this important ongoing work.