Education Commons^™

To Belong Or Not To Belong: Bipoc First-Generation Community College Students’ Experiences, Christine Orbeta

Theses and Dissertations

Using narrative interviews, this study explored the experiences of belonging among eight first-generation college students (FGCS) who identify as Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). By applying Strayhorn's Belonging and Crenshaw's Intersectionality Framework, this study sheds light on the challenges and benefits BIPOC FGCS encounter as they strive for academic success at two-year institutions within the City University of New York (CUNY) where approximately 44% of CUNY's student body comprises FGCS (CUNY, 2019). According to participants, families and institutions played significant roles in shaping students' sense of belonging. It also highlights the intricate negotiations BIPOC FGCS undergo as they …

Use Of Improvement Science To Build The Instructional Capacity Of Faculty In A Community College, Marianne Yohannan

Theses and Dissertations

Up to 78% of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) students experience poor academic achievement as defined by course grades of D, F and W in college. Students entering these fields are often not prepared (Chen & Soldner, 2013) and struggle to succeed in gateway STEM courses, with one-third of them possibly failing (Freeman et al., 2011). The success rates are lower among first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented minoritized groups (Doerschuk et al., 2016). At Tri-County Technical College, 30-40% of introductory biology students are unsuccessful and receive low grades (Institutional Research, n.d.). Low academic achievement has a huge impact on our …

Fostering Interprofessional Collaboration In Community College Mental Health Centers: A Quality Improvement Project, Sara Jane Hamilton

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects

Background The worsening mental health rates among college students in the United States highlight the critical need for campuses to have high-quality comprehensive mental health centers (MHC). This necessity is particularly urgent in community college MHCs, which often lack these attributes. Local Problem An MHC within a large California community college recently introduced telepsychiatry services and is considering integrating a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP) into their team. However, knowledge gaps and limited interprofessional education (IPE) may hinder effective collaboration within the team. Methods A comprehensive literature review was conducted to assess current research on IPE, community college mental …

A Comparison Of Student Academic Variables In Mixed Teaching Methods And Traditionally Taught Biology Courses At Participating Community Colleges In Tennessee, Elesha Goodfriend

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary purpose of this study was to compare academic variables from students participating in mixed teaching methods/course revitalization biology courses to those in traditional courses at two community colleges in Tennessee. A two-group comparison design using archived data was used, which evaluated differences in final grades, exam scores, and homework completion as indicators of the academic success between an urban institution and a rural college. A power analysis was performed using G*Power software to provide the needed sample size, indicating a size of 176. There were 227 students in the active teaching lecture classrooms, and 198 students in the …

Experiences Of Vertical Transfer Students In The Department Of Biological Sciences With The Transfer Credit Process: A Phenomenological Study, Laura Love

All Dissertations

The purpose of this interpretive phenomenological study was to highlight the experiences of undergraduate STEM vertical transfer students. Through the lens of Schlossberg’s Transition Theory, this study sought to better understand how students make sense of the transfer credit process and which support structures facilitated their understanding. Semi-structured interviews were conducted using qualitative methods with eight biological sciences and vertical transfer students currently enrolled at a large public four-year land-grant research institution in the Southeast United States. All participants had successfully transferred from one of 16 technical colleges within the state. Using interpretative phenomenological analysis, three themes were identified. This …

Program Evaluation Of Online And Face-To-Face College And Career Readiness And Its Effect On Degree Utilization In Community College Graduates, Tyson M. Riskas

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Fall 2023 to Present

Salt Lake Community College has adopted the Pathway initiative as a part of its long-term strategic plan. Pathway is a student-centered approach to redesigning the college experience by assessing student experience to reorganize and re-present degree programs. Currently, SLCC focuses on adjusting class pedagogy and curriculum to equip students with core college and career readiness (CCR) skills and determine if graduates are utilizing their degree. The Gail Miller School of Business offers students the option of completing their degree online or face-to-face and choosing between degrees aimed at transferring to other institutions or entering a career. However, they are currently …

Guided Pathways: How Early Major Declaration Impacts Student Graduation Rates, Christopher Ray Mcbeath

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Increasing graduation rates continues to be a high priority for administrators at community colleges nationwide. While several factors affect graduation rates, many researchers focus on how a student’s status as declared or undecided may impact their likelihood of graduating. This study aims to examine the potential relationship between matriculating with or without a major declared and degree completion. There exists a perception that an early decision about a major is a critical step in ensuring students graduate. Many institutions require or strongly encourage students to declare a major before enrolling in their first semester. Previous research about undeclared students and …

Enhancing The First-Year Experience Program For Community College Students: Creating A Cohort Model To Encourage Success, Engagement, And Sense Of Belonging, Vicky Herbel, Christina Cox, Amy M. Koehler, Kim Mercurio, Barbara Stratman

Dissertations

Community Colleges are facing significant challenges to enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impending enrollment cliff which will require higher education administration to adapt, get creative, and lead change in recruiting and retention strategies. Using the Sense of Community Theory (Serason, 1974) and the Involvement Theory (Astin, 1984), this study aims to evaluate student success, engagement, and sense of belonging. Through a qualitative comparative case study, students in a Men of Color (MOC) cohort, a pre nursing (NUR) cohort, and a baseline group of students in the standard college success seminar course enrollment were evaluated using in vivo, …

College Success Bootcamp 101 (Csb101): A Summer Support Program For First-Year First-Generation College Students Navigating The Transition To College, Leticia Lopez Leon

Culminating Experience Projects

The first-year transitional period of community college students is a pivotal time for determining students' persistence and retention in higher education, particularly for first-generation college students (FGCS) who are the first in their families to pursue higher education. FGCS often belong to underrepresented racial or ethnic groups and may come from low-income backgrounds (Lopez, 2016). Although community colleges are enrolling 40% of first-year FGCS, these students are four times more likely to drop out early on compared to their White peers (Beard et al., 2023; Lopez, 2016; Suzuki et al., 2012). The “open access” mission of community colleges has oftentimes …

The Impact Of Using Embedded Learning Assistants In Mathematics Courses, Lyyne Y. O'Dell

Doctor of Education (Ed.D)

This study’s purpose was to determine whether the use of course-embedded learning assistants compared to sections that did not use course-embedded learning assistants in intermediate algebra courses impacted student performance at a community college. The sample was composed of 5,738 students who were enrolled in an intermediate algebra course between fall 2016 and fall 2019. The study’s research methodology was considered causal-comparative, and a non-probability, convenient, and purposive sampling technique was used for all students using archived pre and post-test scores for all participants, then by student demographics African American and socioeconomically disadvantaged students. Statistically significant treatment effects were observed …

The Practices Of Instructional Design At Community Colleges: A Post-Qualitative Study Of The Mutual Invisibility Of Work, David Robert Niebuhr Tod

Educational Leadership & Workforce Development Theses & Dissertations

The work of instructional design in community college settings is woefully understudied. This study documents that work in three community colleges in the southeastern United States while placing it in the theoretical context of neoliberalism, and in line with that theoretical context, takes a post-structuralist stance in its methodological approach.

It is in the discourses of instructional quality, online teaching, and design that instructional designers and faculty engage with each other. In contrast to the more well understood working relationship in a four-year institution, the power relationships between these two groups have not been examined in a community college context. …

Expanding On A Promise: Influences Of Student Identity And College Mindset On Retention And Success For First-Time Community College Students, John Kirby Hall

Morehead State Theses and Dissertations

A capstone submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in the Ernst and Sara Lane Volgenau College of Education at Morehead State University by John Kirby Hall on March 26, 2024.

The Black College Student Experience At Four-Year Predominantly White Institutions And Community Colleges: Non-Academic Factors For Consideration In Creating Sense Of Belonging, Alison Handy

Educational Studies Dissertations

While Black students have gained increased access to college, the data reflect that there are fewer Black students completing or earning bachelor’s degrees. Existing research reflects findings on various factors, both academic and non-academic, that influence student retention and success in higher education. Historically, theories on student retention and success have emphasized the importance of a student’s academic ability and commitment to obtaining a degree. Scholars such as Vincent Tinto have developed theories on student departure and attrition that emphasize the impact of non-academic factors on academic and social integration and the student experience regarding student sense of belonging at …

Success Beyond Access: Examining Institutional Barriers To Persistence And The Supports Needed By Nontraditional Students Participating In A Tuition-Free Community College Program, Amanda K. Roeher

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports

This research study examined the experiences of nontraditional community college students attending through a tuition-free grant. The intent of the study was to explore the student identified barriers to degree persistence and the student support services nontraditional students recognize as being beneficial towards their academic journey. This qualitative case study was guided by three research questions and utilized Bean and Metzner’s (1985) Nontraditional Student Attrition Model as a guide for study design and analysis. Data collection consisted of student interviews and institutional document collection. Data analysis explored themes related to nontraditional student motivations for attendance, persistence factors, and student support …

A Phenomenological Study Investigating The Impact Of Parents' Attitudes Toward Science Upon Their Adult Childrens' Pursuit Of A Science Degree From A Suburban Community College In New York, Kevin Costa

Theses and Dissertations

This interpretative qualitative study delves into adult children's experiences pursuing science degrees, exploring how parental attitudes influence their persistence in higher education. Conducted at a suburban New York community college, the research employs Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis through questionnaires, interviews, and artifact analysis. Findings reveal that parental encouragement positively motivates participants, while financial stability and familial experiences significantly impact academic decisions. Participants perceive their parents' attitudes toward learning as mostly positive, shaping their own educational orientations. The study extends Bowen's theory by illustrating how parental attitudes contribute to perceptions of employment and financial stability. Additionally, Bandura's social learning theory underscores the …

Guided Self Placement As A Stand-Alone Assessment, Judy Endres

All Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Other Capstone Projects

Two-year colleges provide access and opportunity for students with various academic backgrounds to pursue a post-secondary education. While two-year colleges take pride in admitting any student with a high school diploma or equivalent, in recent years colleges have been under scrutiny for low completion and graduation rates. Particular attention focuses on students who are required to enroll in non-credit developmental courses for academic preparation in math and English prior to college level courses. To respond to concerns, colleges are redesigning developmental courses to increase student success. Another area of focus is the process for determining, or assessing, a student’s preparedness …

Teaching Community College Composition Students How To Use Ai Technology Ethically Through The Research Process, Amber H. Mabus

Doctor of Arts in English Pedagogy Capstones

Composition and rhetoric instructors' concern about the impact of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) on education has dramatically amplified since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, leading some to fear the end of our discipline as we know it. The controversy surrounding GenAI has led some educators to call for a complete ban on AI programs in the classroom, while others blindly accept what the technology has to offer without considering the risks involved, with a final group resting somewhere in the middle. Inspired by this debate, this study seeks to answer the research question: "Could teaching students how to …

Community College Library Technical Assistant Students’ Experiences With Student-To-Student Engagement In Asynchronous Online Courses: A Qualitative Case Study, Amanda Musacchio

Dissertations of Practice

COMMUNITY COLLEGE LIBRARY TECHNICAL ASSISTANT STUDENTS’

EXPERIENCES WITH STUDENT-TO-STUDENT ENGAGEMENT IN

ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE COURSES:

A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY

This dissertation examined how community college students connect and engage with their peers via discussion forums in online asynchronous courses. Asynchronous online student interaction and knowing each other as more than a name on their screen is an important part of online learning. Examining how students can form peer connections in asynchronous online courses can help them to have a more meaningful learning experience. Using a case study approach and the Community of Inquiry model framework, the purpose of this study was …

Does Path Matter?: A Quantitative Study Examining Mathematics Course-Taking Patterns And Degree Or Transfer Attainment, Jacqueline Kraus

Dissertations of Practice

DOES PATH MATTER: A QUANTITATIVE STUDY EXAMINING MATHEMATICS COURSE-TAKING PATTERNS AND DEGREE OR TRANSFER ATTAINMENT

Abstract

This quantitative study, guided by Bean and Metzner’s (1985) student attrition model, examined whether mathematics course-taking pattern is associated with a students’ chances of attaining degree or transfer at a community college. Six years of student data from a midwestern community college was used. Descriptive statistics of student course-taking patterns highlighted that more full-time and college level students enrolled in mathematics immediately while part-time and developmental level students delayed their enrollment in mathematics coursework. Contradicting assumptions at the midwestern community college under study, it …

Answering The Call Of Late Registration, Brooke Justice

Theses and Dissertations--Educational Leadership Studies

The topic of late registration in higher education is a term that must be clearly defined to properly compare and contrast academic success metrics. A standard definition for late registration has yet to be agreed upon. For the purposes of this mixed methods action research study, late registration is enrollment in a course 10 days preceding the beginning of the course.

Review of registration data at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College uncovered a disparity between student academic performance of those who registered on time and those who registered late. The institution’s heightened focus on academic performance reflects the performance-based …

Community College Faculty Perceptions Of Their Role In The Academic Achievement Of Minoritized Students, Erin R. Smith

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore the perceptions of community college faculty and the impact of those perceptions on the academic success of African American and Hispanic students. Within the context of the achievement gap, finding out how colleges can better serve disadvantaged students supported the aims of this study. This research strove to contribute to the literature on 2-year institutions of higher education and to provide research from the perspective of 2-year faculty. The findings of this study could contribute to faculty professional development, onboarding, and environmental changes for 2-year institutions in support of the academic …

A Case Study Of Technology Integration At A Community College During A Disruption Of Learning Due To A Global Pandemic, Cara Suzanne Barth-Fagan

Dissertations

This paper discusses the challenges and opportunities of remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. It highlights the financial stress, digital divide, and inequalities in educational opportunities that arose during this period. However, it also acknowledges the advantages of remote learning, such as flexible scheduling, individualized learning, and global collaboration. The study design used was qualitative, aiming to identify the perceived levels of student engagement and support between faculty and students, and the perceived levels of success of completing a blended learning course in an online, hybrid, or hyflex format during a global pandemic. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance …

A Qualitative Case Study Of Disabled Students’ Experiences With Online Course Accessibility During The Covid-19 Pandemic, Jason Altmann

Dissertations of Practice

ABSTRACT

A QUALITATIVE CASE STUDY OF DISABLED STUDENTS’

EXPERIENCES WITH ONLINE COURSE ACCESSIBILITY

DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Jason Altmann, Ed.D.

Department of Counseling and Higher Education

Northern Illinois University, 2024

Xiaodan Hu, Director

This dissertation presents a qualitative case study exploring the experiences of disabled students with online course accessibility during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study investigates how the abrupt shift to online learning impacted the accessibility of educational materials and support services for disabled students in a large, suburban community college.

Critical Disability Theory (CDT) framework was utilized to guide interview questions and explore the connection between the initial …

Exploring Black Women Initiative Programs At Community Colleges: Potential Possibilities For Institutional Support, Erin K. Lewis

Educational Leadership & Policy Studies Dissertations

The existing literature lacks sufficient exploration of Black women’s experiences of a sense of belonging in institutional-sponsored programs centered around their Black and Woman identities at community colleges. Using a collective case study qualitative methodology, the purpose of this study was to understand Black women's experiences of a sense of belonging in institutional-sponsored initiative programs centered around their Black and woman identities at community colleges. The research question guiding this study is: How do Black women experience a sense of belonging in initiative programs centered around their Black and woman identities at community colleges? And to what extent? The conceptual …