This study is an ethnographic inquiry into the beliefs and perceptions of first-generation/low-income Mexican American students in a rural community college located near the U.S.-Mexico border. It explored their experiences as TRiO Student Support Services participants. TRiO Student Support Services plays an increasingly vital role helping first-generation/low-income students successfully complete their college educations. Because of the increasing number of Hispanic students seeking post-secondary educational opportunities, specifically at the community college level, this study examined the attitudes those students have in terms of their experiences within a community college setting in rural southeastern Arizona. As the number of first-generation/low-income Hispanic students enrolled in college and taking advantage of TRiO Student Support Services rises, so does the need to gain a deeper understanding of the beliefs and perceptions of this changing demographic. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]