Community College Leadership Commons^™

How Does Performance Funding Impact The Open Access Mission Of Community Colleges In Massachusetts?, Walter T. Brooks

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this case study of four community colleges was to determine if the Massachusetts Performance Funding Formula (MAPFF) has negatively impacted access in two threats to access: 1) decreased affordability; and 2) restriction of admissions, enrollment, and recruitment in fiscal years 2014, 2015, and 2016. Participating senior administrators provided their perceptions of how the Massachusetts Performance Funding Formula impacted student access and their institutions. Access was negatively impacted by decreased affordability due to significant increases to tuition and fees the students pay. Access was also negatively impacted by a reduction and elimination of programs, courses, and sections.

Promoting Persistence Among Lgbtq Community College Students, Gregory D. Robinson

Theses and Dissertations

A vast amount of research has been devoted to the persistence and retention of college students since the 1970s. Recent research has focused on targeted populations such as first year students, racially minoritized, students with low social economic status and students at the developmental/remedial level. Nevertheless, limited scholarly research has been conducted on the persistence and retention of another category of students, sexual and gender minorities. This qualitative study examined the experiences that promote persistence among Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer/Questioning (LGBTQ) community colleges students. Interviews with eight LGBTQ students from three community colleges in the state of Illinois …

Seeing Reading In First-Year Composition, Matthew Felumlee

Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation focuses on a study of reading-into-writing strategies employed by students in two sections of first-year-composition (FYC) that were paired with a support course as part of an accelerated learning program (ALP) at a community college. Each FYC course was comprised of 11 students whom the college had deemed college-ready without the ALP course, and 11 students who were deemed at remedial levels in reading and / or writing and who were subsequently required to enroll in the ALP course. The study employs grounded theory methodology to identify and consider the many factors that influenced how reading was portrayed, …

An Examination Of The Obstacles That Impact Adult Students' Performance In Workforce Development Medical Assistant Training Programs: A Case Study, Marianne Van Deursen

Theses and Dissertations

Competency-based medical assisting training programs are rigorous, fast-paced, and demanding of students' time. This single-case study examined the needs, barriers, and challenges that impact adult students enrolled in the workforce development medical assisting training program at Warren County Community College, from the perspective of the students, faculty, and workforce development specialists interviewed. The intention was to generate knowledge, learn, and understand the extent to which participants perceived how these obstacles impact students' performance. Results of this study suggest that a stronger focus of the assumptions of the adult learner and the development of strategies aimed at minimizing the impact of …

Strangers In A Strange Land: A Phenomenological Study Of Ell Students' Experiences With Anxiety, Gary Steven Abbott

Theses and Dissertations

A primary tenet of community colleges is open access. However, offering open access and ensuring completion are two different matters, especially for students who may not be as college ready as others. One group of students are English Language Learner (ELL) who, apart from all the other challenges new college students must face, have the added challenges of adapting to a new language and culture and the ensuing anxiety those challenges create. In order to understand the meaning these students make of experiences with anxiety, a hermeneutical phenomenological study following van Manen's (2014) methodology was conducted with five ELL participants …

Taking The Initiative: Exploring The Usefulness Of Faculty-Student Interaction Based On Validation Theory, Fidel Wilson

Theses and Dissertations

The literature is replete with studies that establish a nexus between student success outcomes and faculty-student interaction (Braxton, Milem & Sullivan, 2008; CCSSE, 2001; Cole, 2010; Pascarella & Terenzini, 2001). Faculty-student interaction involves discussion between faculty and student regarding the student's academic and social development. In this qualitative study, faculty were trained to use strategies based on validation theory in the classroom to enhance their interaction with the Black males. Validation theory involves someone intentionally taking an active interest in the academic and personal development of a student serving as a source of encouragement and support (Rendon, 1994). The findings …

Academic And Social Adaptation Through A College Success Course: A Case Study Of Second Semester Students At A Suburban Community College In Northern New Jersey, Jenny Pamela Marcenaro

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this qualitative critical single case study was to explore how second semester students who took a college student success course during their first term adapted to their second term. Specifically, by focusing on how this course contributed to their academic and social adaptation, and why this course may have facilitated such adaptation and persistence at their institution. Findings from this study indicated that this course contributed to these students' adaptation from first to second semester by teaching these students the importance of time management, changing their priorities, putting their academics first. In addition, these participants learned about …

Institutional Advancement At Historically Black Community Colleges: A Multi-Case Study, Lakeisha S. Carter

Theses and Dissertations

In this multi-case study, three cases were studied and four participants were interviewed to understand institutional advancement (IA) at historically Black community colleges (HBCCs) and how the institutional advancement professionals engage the alumni in the fundraising process. The results of this study are presented in this dissertation and illuminate the work of the IA professionals at HBCCs. The participants reported what institutional advancement looks like at each individual HBCCs. This study shows the commonalities and differences in IA at HBCCs and the professionals' perceptions of their interactions with alumni. The professionals discussed the fundraising challenges for advancement at HBCCs. Finally, …

The Value Of Non-Scholarship Community College Athletics In New Jersey: A Student-Athlete And Administrator Perspective, Anthony Joseph Trump

Theses and Dissertations

This multiple case study examines two New Jersey non-scholarship community college athletic programs and answers the questions why student-athletes choose to attend the community college and participate in athletics, what factors influence their decisions, and how administrators and student-athlete descriptions of the value and contribution of participation in community college athletics align. The value of attending and competing in a non-scholarship community college athletic program is carefully examined through multiple interviews of student-athletes, athletic administrators, and chief student administrators. Additionally, the student-athlete perspective on what factors influenced them to choose to attend community college and participate at the non-scholarship level …

A Case Study Of Community College Faculty Attitudes Toward Students With Disabilities, Mary C. Clark

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this single case study was to explore the attitudes and experiences of faculty at one small, public, community college in the southeastern United States. Of the 180 faculty sampled, 35 completed the Attitudes Toward Disabled Persons survey, 13 participated in a one-on-one interview, and a review of 30 institutional documents was conducted. Using social constructivism, disability theory, and the researchers personal and professional experiences as the framework, the data collected helped to gain insight into the faculty's experiences with classroom accommodations and attitudes toward students with disabilities. Five key findings revealed that community college faculty in the …

Student Demographic And Academic Characteristics That Predict Community College Student Success In Online Courses, Jennifer L. Davidson

Theses and Dissertations

Online student success is a concern for higher education institutions especially community colleges with open enrollment admission. This study analyzed online student success using online GPA (dependent variable) and both demographic and academic characteristics of online students (independent variables) to determine which characteristics significantly correlated to and predicted student success in online courses. The sample included an unduplicated count of 4,046 online students enrolled in at least one online course during fall 2015 and spring 2016 at a public, Midwestern community college. Six research questions and twelve hypotheses were used to determine which independent variables led online students to a …

Perceptions Of Supplemental Instruction By Nontraditional Developmental Students In A Community College Setting, Michael S. Dillard

Theses and Dissertations

This qualitative study examined the perceptions of nontraditional developmental education students on the fidelity of a supplemental instruction program in a community college setting. This study was motivated by two research questions: What are non-traditional supplemental instruction (NTSI) students' perceptions of their experiences in the supplemental instruction program? What are NTSI students' perceptions of the supports provided to them at their community college? To examine these questions, a qualitative study was employed. Interview data were obtained from four students, a supplemental instruction leader, and a program manager. Participant responses offered insight into the experiences of the supplemental instruction program through …

The Impact Of An Elementary Algebra Course On Student Success In A College-Level Liberal Arts Math Course And Persistence In College, Lori Ann Austin

Theses and Dissertations

Many students enter community college underprepared for college-level math and are placed into developmental elementary algebra without consideration if the algebra will provide a foundation for their needed college-level math course. Large percentages of those students are unable to succeed in the developmental course and, therefore, are unable to graduate (Bahr, 2008; Bailey, Jeong, & Cho, 2010). This quasi-experimental design focused on students who are not in math-intensive majors, needing only a general liberal arts math course. The purpose was to determine the impact of the elementary algebra course on success in college-level math and persistence in college. Student performance …

The Impact Of Learning Communities On Student And Faculty Engagement: The Case For Linking College Success And Basic Skills English Courses At "A" Community College, Mary Beth Boylan

Theses and Dissertations

The purposes of this action research study were to: examine the (a) impact of linking basic skills English and College Success courses on the engagement and satisfaction of students and faculty at a branch campus of a large community college, (b) chronicle changes in scheduling, registration, and assignment of faculty as the initiatives are grown, and (c) examine my espoused servant leadership and social justice orientation, as I lead the project using Kotter's (1996) eight-step process for creating major change.

The quality of the relationship between the learning community faculty members had an impact on satisfaction for students and faculty. …

Pathways To A Brighter Future: Narratives Of Latino Students’ Perceptions At Community College, Columba Myra Gaytan-Morales

Theses and Dissertations

Helping Latino students into leadership roles begins with a college experience. Latino students are the largest and fastest growing student population within community colleges, yet they are less likely to graduate. Blame is often placed on minority students and their families for the students’ poor academic performance. Deficit thinking models have impacted this way of thinking and this adds to the variety of factors that prevent students’ from successfully completing a college degree. An analysis of nine Latino students’ college experiences was examined to determine the types of barriers that were evident. Critical Race Theory and Latino Critical Race narrative …

An Assessment Of A Community College's Grow-Your-Own Leadership Program: Perceptions Of Program Graduates And Community College Staff Members: A Sequential Mixed-Method Case Study, Keith Lee Kirkland

Theses and Dissertations

Community college scholars and researchers have expressed the need to develop community college staff, at all levels, for leaders and leadership roles in anticipation to forecasted retirements. These retirements represent a loss of experienced leaders and leadership can produce leadership gaps which can impact the ability of community colleges to continue its mission of providing educational services to the residents of the community they serve. Some community colleges have invested resources in training the next cadre of leaders and leadership to negate this loss of leaders and leadership. One such training method is a Grow-Your-Own Leadership (GYOL) program. An assessment …

Strategic Importance Of Recruiting International Students For Community Colleges Framed In The Context Of An Institution's Fiscal Health, Tobias Bruhn

Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study was to understand the strategic role international students play in the overall fiscal health of select community colleges located in a Middle Atlantic state in the United States, as well as to explore the marketing and recruitment strategies used to interact with international students and their effectiveness. Community college professionals in senior management positions responsible for the institution’s strategic direction and fiscal health, as well as those working directly with international students or those engaged in strategic enrollment management, participated in this study.

Framed by the research setting, problem and purpose, the following questions guided …

Adjunct Faculty Sensemaking In The Context Of A Student Success Initiative At A Community College, Denise-Marie Coulter

Theses and Dissertations

Now that community colleges are being pressured by external forces to improve student completion and transfer rates, it is important to determine how part-time faculty are conceptualizing change and implementing it in their practice. They comprise the majority of the teaching staff at these schools, so they are a vital component to ensuring comprehensive change. I undertook an embedded case study to examine how adjunct faculty teaching a gateway English course make sense of the shift in mission to emphasize one school’s commitment to improving student success and whether or not their understanding of this change is impacting their pedagogy. …

The Experiences Of Community College Trustees During Their First Year Of Service: A Phenomenological Study, Jacob Farbman

Theses and Dissertations

The global economy has created a demand for skills and talent, and while the rest of the world has responded to the global demand for post-secondary skills by increasing attainment, the United States has not. Community colleges are more important today than ever before as they work to produce qualified, skilled workers as well as an educated citizenry so that the United States can remain competitive in a global economy. Boards of trustees govern these community colleges. The boards of trustees have the final authority over the affairs of higher education institutions in the United States, yet very little research …

The Impact Of Military Experience On The Higher Education Experiences Of Veterans, Jeff Dougherty

Theses and Dissertations

Veterans have been an integral part of the student population on higher education campuses since the conclusion of World War II. The purpose of this study was to examine veterans' perceptions of how their military experiences affected their experience as college students. Twenty-six veterans were interviewed at six Illinois higher education institutions. Study findings suggest five ways in which the military experience helped veterans adjust to college: (a) veterans were experienced with group collaboration; (b) veterans held high expectations of themselves; (c) veterans were organized and task-oriented; (d) veterans were experienced learners, and; (e) veterans had experience and ability to …

U.S.- Educated Multilingual Students In Community College: Transitioning From Esl To English 101, Melinda S. Harrison

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis focuses on U.S.-educated multilingual students as they transition from a community college academic English as a Second Language program to and through a semester-long first-year composition course. Research on non-native English speakers has indicated that U.S.-educated multilingual students have both similar and varied background and literacy experiences compared to native English speakers and international students; they also often present unique literacy needs compared to their peers. These various and shifting similarities and differences sometimes complicate placement and instruction in college courses.

My case study focused on three U.S.-educated multilingual students' experiences in the final semester of a community …

Southeastern United States Community College Chief Financial Officers' Observations Of Their Institution's Implementation And Importance Of Economic Development Activities In Their Communities, Matthew Lyon

Theses and Dissertations

The overall purpose for this study was to get a first-hand look of how chief financial officers in community colleges throughout the southeastern United States observed the level of implementation of a certain economic development activity in their respective community colleges, and to determine their perceived levels of importance of those economic development activities or strategies regardless of whether or not their community college engaged in those activities. The study also examined any relationship between the level of implementation and relative importance of an economic development activity in the CFO's respective community college based on the institutional characteristics of state, …

Community College Leadership - Impending Retirements And How Colleges Are Preparing - A Survey Of Arkansas Two-Year College Administrators, Linda Birkner

Theses and Dissertations

Institutions of higher education have many assets, but it is the human capital that is necessary for them to operate. Without the right personnel it would be impossible for colleges to function. Shortages of personnel at all levels have been predicted; however, it is the potential leadership crisis that is a rising concern. Many changes may be causing the shortages. Population and workforce changes in conjunction with growing college campuses may be partially to blame. In addition, community colleges emerged in the 60s and 70s, thus many of the original faculty and administrators are now nearing retirement. The real concern …