Caitlin Ng is a doctoral candidate in the Gevirtz School of Education at UC Santa Barbara, specializing in Policy, Program Evaluation, and Research Methods. Her research examines how institutional policies, structures, and supports shape students’ educational experiences and progress toward degree completion. Her dissertation focuses on California Community College transfer students in the UC system, with particular attention to the factors that contribute to extended time-to-degree, including how students navigate institutional systems, access support, and experience barriers throughout their educational pathways. Her work uses mixed methods, with a particular emphasis on qualitative research to understand the experiences and perspectives behind broader patterns in student outcomes.