Leaders at a local community college in southern California ascertained that adjunct faculty members felt disconnected from the school and were not properly socialized to the culture of the school. The purpose of this case study was to help leaders learn adjunct faculty's perceptions of the socialization process. Organizational socialization theory and occupational socialization theory provided the theoretical framework for this study. Purposeful sampling was used to select 12 adjunct faculty to participate in face-to-face interviews. Data were collected via open-ended interview questions. These data were then transcribed, coded, and searched for themes. Coding was completed using Microsoft Word to search for common words and phrases. The 6 major themes were identified as follows: working conditions, voice and perception of adjuncts, mentoring, budget, lack of involvement in campus activities, and the desire to become a fulltime faculty member. A 3-day profressioanl development workshop pertaining to mentoring was identified as the project outcome. The results from this study could facilitate positive social change by helping this college, as well as other community colleges, assist adjunct faculty with their socialization processes. Better socialization could lead to committed adjunct faculty members who are more satisfied, informed, and engaged. When adjunct faculty feel more a part of the college, this engagement could result in improved understanding of the curriculum, more organizational commitment, and greater faculty dedication to the college's mission.

An assessment of campus police departments across Mississippi's public community and junior colleges

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Lehigh University, 2009. / Adviser: Edward E. Lotto.

<p> Teacher attrition is a central concern in the field of education. Although many factors contribute to teacher attrition, teacher personality styles contribute significantly to a teacher&rsquo;s decision to stay or leave the field. Retaining effective teachers remains a central priority for school districts today. When measuring teacher effectiveness, research has shown that teacher personality and the resulting relationship between students and teachers play in integral role in academic success. The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study is to determine if significant differences exist in the personality styles between individuals who aspire to teach at varying levels. The study used the Millon Index of Personality Styles, <i>Revised</i> (MIPS <i>Revised</i>) as a tool to assess the Motivating Styles, Thinking Styles, and Behaving Styles of pre-service teachers (n = 127) in three Northeastern community colleges. Three groups of pre-service teachers were examined: those who aspire to teach at the Birth-2^nd grade level; those who aspire to teach at the 1st-6th grade level; and those who aspire to teach at the 7^th-12^th grade level. The MIPS <i>Revised</i> is a 180 item self-reporting tool used to identify personality characteristics in normally functioning adults. The study collected demographic information, including age, gender, and age level teaching aspiration, as well as information regarding each individual participant&rsquo;s personality style. Results of the study indicated no significant differences between the personality styles of individuals who aspire to teach at varying levels. The results of the study are discussed, and indicate the need for future exploration of pre-service teacher personality styles.</p>

<p> Each year hundreds of foreign-born and other non-native English speakers (NNS) enroll in U.S. public community colleges. More than 40% of these applicants do not pass the entrance exams and are then directed to take a series of noncredit courses before entering the mainstream freshmen composition. The word mainstream refers to the regularly credited courses that one takes to earn credits towards one&rsquo;s certificate or degree program. There are studies comparing the non-native speakers (NNS) to native English speakers (NNS) in the freshmen composition class. Other studies examine the mainstream writing class from the NNS student writer&rsquo;s point of view. However, there is no literature that discusses the placement of the NNS student in the developmental course from the perspectives of the NNS student, the developmental writing instructor, and the administrator. By interviewing NNS students in the developmental writing class, community college staff, faculty, and administrators who interact with these students, we gain multiple perspectives about the placement of this population in the developmental writing class. The results of this study inform community college educators that some NNS students in developmental writing courses may have detoured from the mainstream path with little regard for some of their cognitive, affective, or linguistic needs.</p>

<p> Although enrollment in online community college courses continues to increase, there is evidence that many students are not completing their studies. Research on persistence indicates the importance of students feeling connected with their institution through faculty and staff which can be difficult when separated geographically. Using the Model of Online Community College Student Satisfaction and Continued Enrollment (MOCCSSE), a path model which includes components from both Tinto&rsquo;s Theory of Student Departure and Kember&rsquo;s Model of Dropout in Distance Education, this study explored traditional-aged community college students&rsquo; levels of satisfaction with their academic advisor to determine if they influence the students&rsquo; decision to continue enrolling online. </p><p> Study participants included 346 traditional-aged community college students who enrolled exclusively in online courses for at least one semester in Maryland, Pennsylvania, or Virginia. Eligible students were identified by institutions and invited by email to participate in an electronic survey using SurveyMonkey. Results of this study were analyzed using path analysis to build a model linking students&rsquo; satisfaction with academic advising and online experience with online adaptability level and continued online enrollment. </p><p> The interaction of satisfaction with online education experience and the advisor seems to indicate a positive effect on continued online enrollment. Continued online enrollment was also positively affected by online adaptability level, which was measured by student&rsquo;s self-efficacy and perceived mastery of computer usage and time management. These findings suggest that while students who have the necessary skills to succeed in an online education environment are likely to continue enrolling online, their satisfaction with their advisor and their online education experience may also impact that decision. </p><p> A major limitation was that the survey items that were thought to measure online satisfaction did not; instead student&rsquo;s level of overall satisfaction was used to create a construct. Other limitations included removal of participants who did not communicate with their academic advisor, and the low percentage of students who check email regularly. Future research should investigate demographics of traditional-aged community college students further. Topics should include expanding diversification of online students so that demographics align with overall population, and comparing traditional-aged and non-traditional students with previous studies.</p>

<p> Developmental education continues to be an area of concern for higher education institutions. Understanding and developing programs to provide support and increase retention, completion, and success rates for developmental education students is vital to increasing degree attainment in the United States. This study explored one developmental education program at a Midwest community college implemented in 2011. A mixed-methods approach was executed to compare completion and success rates two years prior to implementation and two years following implementation, as well as to obtain qualitative information regarding perceptions of the program. Quantitative data analysis revealed increases in developmental education rates for qualifying Connection Program students when viewed holistically; however, varying degrees of program effectiveness were seen in discipline-level results. Qualitative data analysis revealed four emerging themes: 1) Flawed Placement, 2) Positive Intentions, 3) Flawed Execution, and 4) Student Ambiguity. These findings coincided with research in the developmental education field as areas of importance in regard to increasing degree attainment for these students.</p>

<p> The purpose of this quantitative, correlational study was to examine the relationships between demographic characteristics, self-efficacy, and persistence factors that attribute to the academic performance of American Indian college students who completed 24 semester credits or one year of college. The data collection instrument used were three surveys administered as one web-based survey. The surveys included a 10-item demographic survey, 15-item Modified General Self-Efficacy Exam, and 34-item College Persistence Questionnaire used to obtain data on student self-efficacy and factors that attribute to college persistence. The respondents were American Indian undergraduate students (<i>N</i>=201) who attended a community college branch located in the rural Southwest. The collected data were interpreted using a bivariate correlation and multi-regression statistical analysis using SPSS version 21. The study findings described characteristics of American Indian college students who showed high levels of self-efficacy. The study findings also showed that college persistence factor, academic conscientiousness, was statistically significant in predicting students&rsquo; cumulative grade point average (GPA) range. The findings of this study shed light on the need to explore additional factors that perceive to affect the self-efficacy, college persistence, and academic performance of American Indian college students in the rural Southwest. </p>

<p> Community college graduation rates are low, and community colleges have been tasked with producing more graduates to meet workforce needs. Research has determined that engaged students remain at their institutions and complete their degrees. Service learning has been identified as a high-impact practice that engages students with their learning and builds connections between students and campus personnel. The majority of service-learning research, having been conducted with 4-year colleges and universities, may have limited applicability to the community college population. This qualitative descriptive case study describes how institutionalized service learning on 1 community college campus is structured, supported, and operated. The study used the framework of student success, service learning, and institutionalization to determine how the college provided resources and opportunities for service learning. Participants for the study were selected using mixed purposeful sampling to identify individuals recently involved with service learning at the college; data came from document reviews, campus and Internet observations, college staff interviews, and student group online discussions. Data were collected and analyzed using a spiraling technique. Findings indicated that the college's curricular and cocurricular service-learning activities were integrated throughout the campus in many departments and with different groups. While the service-learning coordinators made distinctions between curricular and cocurricular service learning, student participants did not make such distinctions. Students in this study were engaged with their service learning. These findings have applicability for all community college educators, demonstrating that institutionalized community college service learning might lead to greater retention through graduation.</p>

<p>Increasingly more service members are separating from the military as the United States draws down the force and moves towards a post-war era. Tens of thousands of these veterans will leverage their GI Bill tuition and housing benefits in an attempt to access Southern California community colleges and bolster their transition into mainstream society. Some of these men and women have served multiple tours in combat zones and carry with them the burden of physical and mental injuries. After 4 years of GI Bill benefits costing over $20 billion and supporting 750,000 veterans or their dependents, it is unclear whether these veterans have been successful in higher education. This study starts the dialogue for further quantitative research on this diverse population. </p><p> Using quantitative methodologies based on a nontraditional student attrition model, 261 student veterans at three Southern California community colleges were surveyed to determine how military service affects their persistence. Background variables, academic and social integration, psychological outcomes, and military service perspective as related to student veterans' intent to persist, college GPA, and rate of attendance formed the framework for research. Findings show that student veterans' intent to continue their educational goals is affected by their military service perspective. Military service is a significant intervening variable that distinguishes veterans from other nontraditional students at community colleges. Military GPA was found to have a stronger association with college GPA than high school GPA. Although academic integration was the strongest predictor of college GPA, the most successful student veterans balance their work, family, and academic lives. Although some findings relate closely to existing higher education literature, the experience and perspective of military service produces both advantages and disadvantages for veterans in college. Accounting for veterans' persistence and acknowledging their diversity are measures which will strengthen their chances for academic success. Recommendations for policy, practice, and future research are addressed in this study. </p>