University Extension Commons^™

Retention Strategies For Online Students: A Systematic Literature Review, Katy Seery, Albert A. Barreda, Stephanie G. Hein, Jokima L. Hiller

Journal of Global Education and Research

The purpose of this paper is to examine online retention research in higher education over a 5-year span (January 2015–March 2019) to further advance research in higher education retention. Through an academic database search, 18 articles were collected from EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, and Research Gate using combinations of the keywords online, retention strategies, and higher education. All articles were analyzed for proposed retention strategies. Retention is a global topic. As such, this study demonstrates the importance of retention and clarifies issues or challenges students encounter, which may cause lower retention rates. The data reviewed suggest the most common retention ...

S4e1: How Does Cooperative Extension Help Mainers Thrive?, Ron Lisnet, Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Hannah Carter

The Maine Question

While University of Maine Cooperative Extension’s roots are in agriculture, the 106-year-old organization helps all Mainers thrive with its relevant research-based programs that promote child development, nutrition, robotics, entrepreneurship and more. Recently, “more” has included providing communities with much-needed resources during the pandemic.

In this initial podcast of Season 4, host Ron Lisnet discusses Cooperative Extension’s past, present and future with UMaine and University of Maine at Machias President Joan Ferrini-Mundy and Cooperative Extension Dean Hannah Carter, who says the trusted organization can be like Google for Mainers seeking information.

Regional Advisory Councils To Support Nascent Rural Entrepreneurs, Sharon R. Paynter, Michael L. Harris, Dennis Barber Iii

Journal of Extension

Traditional economic development efforts have been unable to address the nuances of rural communities. Entrepreneurship can be an important process and a vital component for building rural resiliency. As part of RISE29, a grant funded program, regional advisory councils have been established an act as a crucial extension tool for East Carolina University. The goal of these councils is to incorporate the narrative and discourse of the importance of entrepreneurship as a part of inclusive rural economic development strategies.

University Student Volunteering (Usv): Instruments For Its Comprehensive Diagnosis (Icd-Usv), Elena Briones, Irina Salcines-Talledo, Natalia González-Fernández

The Qualitative Report

University Student Volunteering (USV) requires attention to guarantee its pedagogic quality and its fulfilment of community service. However, a review of the literature reveals a lack of tools for assessing the quality of USV. Thus, our research question was: how can we evaluate the efficacy of volunteer programs in higher education? This article follows a qualitative methodology through an evaluative case study of the creation of a set of instruments for the comprehensive diagnostic of USV (ICD-USV) with a 360° perspective, which provide feedback and feedforward for the development of USV, thus offering indicators of its quality. The application of ...

Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion Climate Assessment Activities: Development And Strategic Use In Diversity Action Plans, Dr. Kristen M. Radsliff Rebmann, Parinaz Zartoshty, Kim Green, Erin Kelly-Weber, Dr. Vidalino Raatior, Lori Vonderach

School of Information Student Research Journal

This project report describes climate assessment activities in support of the development of a college-level diversity, equity, and inclusion (EDI) action plan. Elements of the climate assessment activities are described along with their purpose and rationale for inclusion. Recommendations are made for libraries to design and deploy their own EDI assessment activities with the goal of developing robust action plans supportive of inclusive excellence.

Creating Opportunities Through An Experiential, Community-Based Cooperative Extension Internship Program, Debra M. Sellers, Cheryl Heronemus, Cindy Gannon, Peggy A. Lockhart

Iowa State University Articles and Manuscripts

Extension is positioned to develop and implement high-quality, high-impact internship experiences for college students in local communities. The creation of the Rising Star Internship program arose from interest in providing experiential work opportunities for Iowa State University students coupled with the organizational goals of promoting awareness of Cooperative Extension and increasing interest in employability within Extension. The program provides a paid county-level summer internship with several unique elements. Evidence collected from student participants suggests that it is a mutually beneficial endeavor for Extension, students, and communities. Extension systems may desire to replicate these efforts if they share similar ambitions.

What Help Do Faculty Perceive Is Needed To Improve Their Community Engagement Through Outreach?, Kiyomi D. Deards, Saundra Wever Frerichs, Patricia Wonch Hill, Julia Mcquillan

Sociology Department, Faculty Publications

• A survey-based needs assessment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, a research-intensive land grant university, explored ways to meet the goal of increasing science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) outreach
• 40% of surveyed faculty reported barriers to doing STEM outreach
• Over 50% of faculty reported an inability to individually resolve barriers to STEM outreach in ways that ensure broader community engagement in their research through outreach
• Using a sociological lens, the current study examined institutional-level barriers and enablers to faculty engaging in outreach
• Results suggest several institutional approaches to STEM outreach, including creating infrastructure with experts in science communication; providing science ...

The Reality Of Teaching Practice At An-Najah National University And Al-Quds Open University From The Students-Teachers’ Perspectives, Tefl Majors, Ahmed Raba'

Journal of the Arab American University مجلة الجامعة العربية الامريكية للبحوث

This study aimed at investigating the reality of teaching practice at An-Najah National University and Al-Quds Open University from the students-teachers’ perspectives, TEFL Majors. To achieve this aim, the researchers used a 40-item questionnaire which was classified into four domains including the co-operation of the cooperating school, the effectiveness of the university supervisor, evaluating the students-teachers and the suitability of the theoretical content for the school practical issues. The sample of study consisted of 84 male and female students-teachers, selected randomly from An-Najah National University and Al-Quds Open University. This number shapes (68.3%) of the total population. In collecting ...

Innovation Of University System In The Field Of Scientific Staff Training In Europe And Uzbekistan: Experience And Problems, Usmonov Botir

CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL ENGINEERING

The need to improve the system of doctoral studies in the Republic of Uzbekistan is dictated by the tasks of the present. In this article, the example of European and Uzbek universities, considered the features of the reforms in the administration of training for scientific personnel undertaken in the last decade in European countries. To solve the problems of the doctoral system, it is proposed to take a number of structural steps to improve the overall quality of specialists in Uzbekistan, to ensure its attractiveness and competitiveness.

Glossary Of Assesment Terms In Higher Education, H. Omer Tontus

Educational Sciences

This book is prepared for teachers in higher education, and many of the words in this glossary can be grabbed by teaching staff in any kind of educational departments. This book also has been prepared to address the need to comprehend the A to Z meaning of the definitions of assessment and evaluation.

Cross-Border Development: A Long-Term Role For Universities, Robert Brian Smith, Nucharee Nuchkoom Smith

ASEAN Journal of Community Engagement

Low-income economies are experiencing potential serious threats in terms of long-term sustainability and social development. At the same time, most developing economies are grappling with possible disruptions from the Fourth Industrial Revolution and the current COVID-19 pandemic and its economic consequences. However, every economy has the same goal of elevating its status to that of a developed country. This research uses the narrative/case study approach to examine cross-border development and the role that universities can play as important actors in the development of society. Moreover, this research combines observations and literature analysis. Universities are clearly best placed to play ...

Student-Athletes At An Historically Black University (Hbu): Examining The Relationship Between Student-Engagement On Campus And Career Situation Awareness, Gregg Rich, Kenneth Kungu, Ali Boolani

Journal of Athlete Development and Experience

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the relationship between student-athletes’ engagement experiences on campus and their career situation awareness at an historically Black university (HBU) in the Southeastern United States with NCAA Division I affiliation. Data was obtained from a sample (n = 118) of female (n= 45) and male (n = 73) student-athletes using measures from the revised versions of the Student-Athlete Experiences Inventory (SAEI) and the Student-Athlete Career Situation Inventory (SACSI). One-way ANOVA, Pearson product-moment correlation tests, and t-tests were employed to analyze gender, race, year classification, and sport played effects. Following data analysis, three key findings ...

“Ripssl”: A New Reflective Inquiry Protocol To Lift The Lid On Students’ Significant Extra-Curricular Learning Outcomes From Study Abroad, Andrea Reid, Christine Slade, Susan L. Rowland

The Qualitative Report

Education abroad generally has no overarching curriculum outside the formal study component. This paper presents the Reflective Inquiry Protocol for Surfacing Significant Learning (RIPSSL), a new approach for understanding and articulating significant learning from education abroad. Tests of RIPSSL show education abroad students use it to move beyond “it was great” when considering learning from their experiences. Our findings are important for educators and students as they work to recognize and articulate the value of education abroad. RIPSSL provides a reflective educational approach to evidence learning from life experiences by surfacing students’ significant learning in their own words.

Extension Demonstration: Grameen Microfinance Methods And Capital Access For Low-Income Female Entrepreneurs, Mark A. Edelman

Economics Working Papers

A nonprofit community development financial institution and Extension collaborated to conduct a demonstration project to evaluate efficacy of Grameen peer-group microfinance methodology in addressing barriers faced by lowincome women entrepreneurs in a small metro area. Program performance metrics achieved by 284 low-income, culturally diverse, primarily women entrepreneurs over five years included: a loan repayment rate of 99+ percent, increased average client income, savings accumulation at a local bank, and increased opportunities to improve average credit scores. Client surveys indicated peer-group methods, program structure, incentives for individual behaviors and group responsibilities provided opportunity to develop confidence, leadership skills, and teamwork.

Rethinking The Teaching Of Writing In An Era Of Remote Learning: Lessons Learned From A Local Site Of The National Writing Project, Troy Hicks

Teaching/Writing: The Journal of Writing Teacher Education

As the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools to close in the spring of 2020, teacher consultants from a local writing project site were compelled to make their practice public, sharing conversations about what remote learning and the teaching of writing could look like through a series of eight webinars and, subsequently, an open institute in the summer of 2020. Built on principles of the National Writing Project including openness, flexibility, and an inquiry-driven stance toward professional learning, the work of this site’s director and teacher leaders is described as they worked together to think about issues of equity and access ...

Enhancing Hbcu Teacher Education Experience Through Authentic University-School Partnerships, Valeisha Ellis, Patricia Jenkins, Tiffany D. Pogue

Georgia Educational Researcher

This mixed-methods study sought to examine teacher education candidates’ practice-based field experiences and relationships with a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) and an urban P-12 school. As informed by the Networked Improvement Community (NIC) and Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) conceptual frameworks, the three phases of data collection indicated highly favorable results of desired objectives for an innovative, authentic field experience for local pre-service teacher candidates and P-12 partners. The study also evidences a positive effect on students’ achievement as a result of this field experience. Recommendations for future research, education preparation programs, and building partnerships with P-12 schools are discussed.

“You’Re Almost In This Place That Doesn’T Exist”: The Impact Of College In Prison As Understood By Formerly Incarcerated Students From The Northeastern United States, Hilary Binda, Jill D. Weinberg, Nora Maetzener, Carolyn Rubin

Journal of Prison Education and Reentry

This qualitative study examines the immediate and lasting impact of liberal arts higher education in prison from the perspective of former college-in-prison students from the Northeastern United States. Findings obtained through semi-structured interviews with formerly incarcerated people are presented in the following three areas: self-confidence and agency, interpersonal relationships, and capacity for civic leadership. This study further examines former students’ reflections on the relationship between education and human transformation and begins to benchmark college programming with attention to the potential for such transformation. The authors identify four characteristics critical to a program’s success: academic rigor, the professor's respect ...

Green Delivery: An Arbor Day Foundation Partnership Program, Vincent Malene, Sarah Schilling, David Petersen, Anthony Hare, Cassandra Arritt, Ross Grieb

Honors Theses, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

No abstract provided.

Building Engagement In Facebook: A Case Study With Utah State University Extension Sustainability, Kenna Kesler

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to explore how Utah State University (USU) Extension Sustainability uses Facebook to engage followers. The researcher conducted a quantitative content analysis of 504 messages posted to the USU Extension Sustainability Facebook page. Graphics and links were the most common post characteristics used. Text-only posts and posts containing videos were used the least. Food was the most common area of sustainability discussed on the page. Posts containing videos, shared content, or that tagged other pages in Facebook messages experienced statistically significantly higher user engagement than posts without those characteristics. Posts containing hashtags experienced statistically significantly ...

Mpower: Thesis Project For Increased Financial Investment, Sustainability, And Growth For The Mpower: Lead Through The Creed Program, Annabella Sills

Honors Theses

MPower is a leadership and diversity conference hosted annually by the UM Student Union for incoming freshmen. I conducted a meeting with University officials including the Dean of students providing concrete evidence for why the University of Mississippi should increase financial investment for the program. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, our scheduled stakeholder meeting had to be pushed to the fall semester as many departments are unable to collaborate on this project at this time. Therefore, this thesis paper has been adjusted accordingly. My thesis work will be used to collaborate with multiple campus departments to increase the sustainability ...