Education Commons^™

An Analysis Of The Meaning, Barriers, And Value Of Developmental Education For First-Generation Minority Students At A Community College, Molly Murphy

Masters Theses

This qualitative, phenomenological study was designed to learn more about how first-generation, minority community college students perceive the meaning, barriers, and value of developmental education. Five participants were interviewed in a semi-structured format. The results provided nuanced and personal accounts from students who revealed that developmental education affects their feelings of self-efficacy, that systemic financial challenges are consistent barriers to success, and that the connections between teachers and their students, or lack thereof, are perceived to have an impact on the usefulness of developmental education. Finally, results indicated the importance of working with students individually to understand how their ethnic …

Service Standards In Higher Education: Lasswell's Communication Model As A Training Tool, Crystal R. Alston

Masters Theses

This paper examines a service standards training process established during the 2016/2017 academic year for Prairie State College (PSC), a two-year community college located in Chicago Heights Illinois. The goal of examining and revising the service training process was to enhance the quality of service after the college received poor service reviews from a recent satisfaction survey. Lasswell's Communication Model was used to create content and structure for a training manual and workshop as part of the overall service training process at PSC. The service standards and training manual was successfully developed and is currently being tailored to accommodate the …

First-Year Student Perceptions Of A Community College Success Course: A Phenomenological Approach, Aaron J. Walk

Masters Theses

The use of college success courses by community colleges in recent years has had a significant impact on the academic success of their first-year students. Although studies have shown increases in grade point averages and retention rates for students enrolled in success courses, few have examined student perspectives of these courses. The intention of this study was to gain an understanding of the student perceptions of college success courses and how they shaped their college experiences. By using a phenomenological method of inquiry, the researcher interviewed six community college students enrolled in a college success course. The participants were students …

Factors Influencing Student Major Selection At A Community College, Kellie Jean Keck

Masters Theses

College students are influenced by many different things the moment they arrive on campus. This study was an exploratory study that examined what factors influenced student major selection at a rural Midwestern community college. Qualitative interviews were conducted with (N = 6) sophomore level participants that were previously undecided but had since declared a major. Participants were asked a series of questions about their major selection process including their experiences as an undecided student, who, and what may have influenced their major selection, what role monetary returns played in their major selection, and how comfortable they are with their …

Use Of Community College Student Services And Student Success Outcomes, Lori Beth Morrissette

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to utilize the 2010 Community College Survey of Student Engagement data and enrollment data from a rural mid-sized community college in Illinois, to examine the use of student services on student success outcomes, specifically cumulative grade point average and program completion rate. This research presents findings on student cumulative grade point average and program completion rate compared to how often students used each of the following selected student services: academic advising/planning, career counseling, job placement assistance, financial aid advising, campus computer labs, and transfer credit assistance.

The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to determine …

The Value Of Student Services And Activities At A Large, Rural, Two-Year College In The Midwest, Andrea E. Bright

Masters Theses

In order to assist in the development and growth of students to reach their maximum potential research into what services and activities students perceive as valuable was conducted. The purpose was to explore student's relations between the perceived value of student services/activities and the knowledge, use, and value of student services and activities. The literature expresses that many factors affect a student's experience at college. Student involvement occurs through many facets, academics, socialization, and environment. Student satisfaction with these factors impact student success or failure. The research demonstrates that students need interactions with the college community in order to facilitate …

The Relationship Between Professional Preparation Of Student Affairs Professionals And Community College Completion Rates, Jennifer D. Elliott

Masters Theses

This study was conducted to gather data and investigate what type of degree or degrees student affairs professionals hold at community colleges in Illinois, and how earned a degree in College Student Affairs or an equivalent degree. Then, to compare this data with existing graduation and retention data to see what, if any, correlation there might be. A survey was distributed to student affairs officers at each of the 48 Illinois community colleges, with the request the survey be forwarded to their student services professional staff. This data was then compared to recent graduation and retention rates at each school. …

Models Of Excellence For African American Males At Richland Community College: A Field Study, Luegeanes Mcgee

Masters Theses

Purpose

The purpose of this field study was to investigate the problems that African American males encounter at Richland Community College, Decatur, Illinois. This investigator interviewed thirteen graduates, person-to-person, who graduated from Richland Community College between the years of 1993 through 1995. Twelve themes emerged from this study: academic counselor/communication/ involvement, prejudice/isolation, teacher/student reaction, student seating location, support group(s), role models, mentors, student involvement in college life, educational purpose, programs, and college requirements. Respondents also made recommendations for the success of African American males attending Richland Community College.

Methodology

Person-to-person interviews were utilized in studying this phenomenon because it is …

Characteristics Of The Pre-College Students At Parkland College, Leslie E. Marsh

Masters Theses

Parkland College is a community college of approximately 8,000 students located in Champaign, Illinois. The faculty and administrative staff is concerned with student retention, particularly the retention of those students in the pre-college or underprepared category who take courses that are below the college level. This retention study identified characteristics of underprepared students, interventions that had been successful at model community colleges, and recommended program implications for the future.

The study provided base-line data regarding characteristics of the 1346 underprepared students at Parkland College who were taking remedial coursework in the fall of 1988. Data was also gathered for the …

A Curriculum Response To Budgetary And Marketing Pressures On A Two-Year Community College Engineering Technology Program (Microprecision Technology), Gerald R. Hough

Masters Theses

The process described is a program level response to institutional-wide budgetary restraints. The program in question is a two-year engineering technology associate degree program (Microprecision Technology). The major focus deals with:

1. reducing unit cost

2. improving marketability (recruiting)

3. improving transferability (as it relates to recruiting

The reductions in cost center around the ratio of contact hours to credit hours in the specialty courses as well as a reduction in the number of such courses. Issues dealing with marketability are directly related to the unique nature of the program and the difficulties involved in the public presentation of such …

Creating A Model For A Career Planning And Placement Center At Kaskaskia College, D. Rennie Minton

Masters Theses

Statement of Purpose

The primary purpose of this field study was to create a model in the form of a comprehensive career planning and placement program for those individuals served by Kaskaskia Community College, District No. 501. Besides students cur rently enrolled, those who are temporary dropouts and return, early semester leavers, adults in the community and other individuals who could benefit from such services will be encouraged to make use of the facilities and personnel available.

While there has always been some type of placement activities taking place in the public schools in·the past, for the most part they …

An Examination Of And Plan For The Integration Of Audiovisual Services Into A Community College Learning Resources Center, Vicky R. Smith

Masters Theses

This field experience study paper examines the role audiovisual services should play as part of a learning resources center in a community college. The specific institution chosen was Moraine Valley Community College in Palos Hills, Illinois. Moraine Valley is one of thirty-nine community colleges in the state of Illinois. Organized along a "cluster college" concept, the institution has worked toward providing a varied educational program for its constituents.

The Learning Resources Center was organized to provide support for the instructional program. Originally comprised of four separate administrative units, i.e., library, audiovisual center, learning laboratory, and study skills center, the growth …

Assisting The Re-Entry Woman: The Role Of The Community College, Shirley Jean Nettnin

Masters Theses

The woman who wishes to re-enter the worlds of work and education can be effectively assisted by the community college. The open admissions policies and the availability of counseling for community members make the two year college systems unique. They provide access to in-house opportunities in both academic and job oriented areas. Women appear to view them as being less threatening than a four year institution, while retaining the prestige of college.

Women who wish to alter their life-style are often apprehensive about beginning. They may be realistic and effective in making decisions within a familiar milieu, but unsure and …

A Plan For The Development Of An Ideal Learning Resource Center At Crowder College, Barbara Lou Farrar

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the personnel, hardware, software, and space requirements for an ideal learning resource center at Crowder College and to prepare a written plan for reaching this goal. The achievement of this plan would be spread over a five year period.

The existing learning resource program at Crowder College is shown to include well-established library services and very limited media services. A full description of the existing learning resources program is given and its relationship to the rest of the college is shown.

Several methods were used to determine what an ideal learning resources …

Development Of Auto Body Technology And Industrial Maintenance Technology, Richard W. Yandell

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

An Analysis And Comprehensive Account Of The Administrative Internship At Lake Land College, Raymond Joseph Pranske

Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

The Field Experience: An Internship At Lake Land College, John Neil Admire

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.

Administration Of Vocational-Technical Education At Illinois Eastern Junior Colleges, District #529, Jesse H. Keyser

Masters Theses

No abstract provided by author.