Education Commons^™

A Phenomenological Study Of Factors Affecting The High Dropout Rate Of Nontraditional African American Students In Community College, Vernordra Haynie

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Nontraditional students comprise 75% of the higher education student population (Complete College America, 2011). These students maintain employment and care for their families while juggling the demands of college courses. Two-year colleges face challenges retaining nontraditional learners and more than 50% of nontraditional African American students fail to complete their associate degree (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, 2019). The purpose of this phenomenological research study was to identify factors affecting the degree completion of nontraditional African American students in a community college setting and to offer institutional recommendations to retain this population of students to graduation. The researcher utilized a …

Stepping Stone Or Road Block: An Evaluation Of Community Colleges In The Midwest To Improve Attrition And Graduate Percentages Of African American Students, Tamela Odom

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

The path towards higher education is not the same for all. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to explore why African American students enroll into community college in the Midwest at higher percentages than any other racial group but persist to graduation at the lowest percentages. Factors that hinder African American students from persisting toward graduation and eventual degree completion from a 2-year college were uncovered through interviews conducted with participants on community college campuses throughout the Midwest. Considering the findings of this study, it is suggested that professors and instructors use classroom interactions and instructional opportunities to …

How Community College Instructors In Louisiana Recognize Student Mental Health Needs, Rochelle Baldoz

CUP Ed.D. Dissertations

Research has shown mental health issues are prevalent in community colleges; however, community colleges lack mental health services. This qualitative case study was designed to add information to the scholarly literature about the significant role community college instructors play in recognizing the mental health state of their students. The purpose of this qualitative case study was to gain an understanding of how instructors at a community college in Louisiana recognize their students’ mental health needs. Two research questions guided this study: What perceptions do community college instructors in Louisiana have of student mental health needs?

How can a community college …