This study sought to determine whether any differences existed in the degree of relationship between the self-concepts of Negro and white college freshmen as measured by the mean scores achieved by them on the Tennessee Self Concept Scale and the nature of their performance in written expression as measured by the mean evaluations received by them for certain aspects of their written work.

The problem of this study was to determine the predictive validity, as measured by multiple R, of two batteries given to beginning college students using various achievement criteria.

The problem is to study the relationship between two personality measures, self-concept and authoritarianism, as each relates to certain academic, vocational, and biographical variables of male freshmen attending a state-supported university in the Southwest.

No description available.

This study examines the college readiness needs of first year college students based on experiences from students and staff involved with a first year transitional initiative program at Western Kentucky University. The purpose of the study is to share students’ college readiness needs with public school systems in hopes to intervene with these needs before students arrive at college. A total of 45 participants volunteered to be in focus groups, an interview, and complete a survey. Two research questions were proposed: What college readiness needs still exist for first time college students upon entrance to a four year public university? In what ways can understanding college readiness needs inform the work of secondary school educators? The researcher found college readiness needs exist for first time college students in connections, motivation and support, accountability, studying, college expectations, life lessons, academic help, transition to college and belonging. Implications for various school personnel to help students with these needs are provided. Limitations of the study are discussed.

The post secondary educational system has come under increased scrutiny due to rising costs and lower numbers than expected of students graduating with their Bachelor's degrees. Many studies have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of student mentoring programs as a viable resource to increase retention and graduation rates. Research on the predictors of academic success has been inconsistent. This current study used archival data from the Office of Institutional Research (IR) database and California State University, San Bernardino Faculty/Student Mentor Program to conduct a matched sample analysis comparing mentored students with non mentored students. Both files were drawn from the same specified period (fall 2003 to fall 2012 academic years) based on a set of control and outcome variables provided with the datasets. Overall, the academic performance of mentored students, based on retention rate, graduation rate, credits completed, and grade point average were similar to that of non mentored students. A logistic regression indicated that at least one variable may be a good predictor of graduation rates (Pre-College Courses). Further research is needed to determine if mentoring, specifically peer mentoring, is an effective resource that supports student success.

Remediation has become a compensatory way for an increasing number of students to attend college. The problem addressed in this study was whether student intellectual strengths and learning style preferences were, in part, related to placement or enrollment in remediation courses. The purpose of this quantitative study was to assess whether a particular learning style or dominant intellectual strength was characteristic of freshmen enrolled in remediation courses compared to freshmen not enrolled in remediation courses. This study filled a gap in the literature as no studies have analyzed the combination of learning style preferences with dominant intellectual strengths in an American college population. Its theoretical foundations were Gardner's multiple intelligence theory and Kolb's experiential learning theory. A total of 84 participants completed a demographics survey, the Multiple Intelligence Profiling Questionnaire III, and the Learning Styles Inventory. Results from the Spearman Rho correlation indicated a significant negative correlation between logistic/mathematical intellectual strengths and enrollment in remediation. For learning style preferences, students enrolled in remediation courses were significantly more likely to identify as Assimilating learners. Students in remediation were also significantly more likely to identify as Accommodating learners in comparison to students not enrolled in remediation courses. These results suggest that the college curriculum and how it is taught could be altered to accommodate both students' strengths and strengthen weaknesses in order to facilitate higher levels of academic success, ultimately leading to higher graduation rates and better employment opportunities; these improvements might, in turn, facilitate positive changes for communities in South Florida.

Mentoring programs often focus on assisting students with the transition to college life and encouraging academic success. This study consisted of a quantitative examination of faculty and peer mentoring and freshmen student athletes' perceived transitional stress and social support. Surveys that provided a numerical value to perceived stress and social support supplied a basis for comparison. In addition, a qualitative element, consisting of personal interviews, was used to assess the quality of the mentoring relationships that developed. Volunteer mentors were trained on mentoring strategies by the researcher. Sixty-one student-athlete volunteers from the sports of baseball, basketball, cheerleading, cross country, competitive dance, football, golf, rowing, soccer, track and field, and volleyball were divided into two groups with similar high school grade point averages. Thirty-one of these student athletes were then randomly assigned to peer mentors and 30 were assigned to faculty mentors. Stress and social support were measured three times during a 16-week semester and the data were analyzed using repeated measures analysis of variance. No significant differences were found in the perceived stress levels of student athletes mentored by faculty versus peers. However, stress levels were found to significantly increase between the beginning and the end of the semester. Regarding social support derived from friends, no significant difference was found in the perceived level of social support received from friends. However, students mentored by faculty perceived significantly more social support from their mentor than that perceived in the peer-mentored group. No effects for race or gender were found with either perceived stress or social support levels. This research suggests the need to investigate specific stress sources and what assistance may be provided through mentoring. Academic advisors may wish to consider alternative ways to assuage the stresses experienced by first-semester student athletes, such as reduced course loads or reduced athletic demands. The results of this study provide additional insights regarding mentoring and its effects on perceived levels of stress and social support. In addition, this research provides the building blocks for a mentoring program to assist student athletes transitioning to college.

No description available.

Thesis (M.S.) -- University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 2006. / Title from title page screen (viewed on Feb. 1, 2007). Thesis advisor: Lisa Jahns. Vita. Includes bibliographical references.