This study examined community college students' engagement with faculty through a mixed methods constructivist grounded theory lens. The study utilized CCSSE data to examine existing measures of student-faculty engagement and qualitative data that centered the community college student voice. Although community colleges serve large numbers of…

This qualitative study explored the lived experiences of Chicana community college students who transferred to a four-year institution earning a baccalaureate degree and eventually a doctorate degree of education (Ed.D.). Their stories were viewed using Critical Race Theory (CRT), Latino Critical Theory (LatCrit), and Community Cultural Wealth…

This article describes the operationalization of critical consciousness development within gateway courses at a community college in the Northeast. Reviewing the relevant literature, the article argues that critical consciousness pedagogy is an overlooked means for increasing students' retention and academic motivation. A case study of the…

Although field and research experiences have been shown to help retain students in the geosciences, there is less known about how and why this is the case. We created a field-based research experience for five students with a range of backgrounds and prior experiences. We used mixed methods case study research to identify affect-related…

This dissertation explores the ways that instructors at a community college perceive instructor-student rapport in online and face-to-face classes. While instructor-student rapport has been shown to play an important role in student retention and success (Benson, Cohen, & Buskist, 2005; Granitz, Koernig, & Harich, 2009; Murphy &…

A college degree is vital to the economic and social well-being of the entire nation and its citizens. Yet, community colleges--which serve half of all students in higher education--have low graduation rates. Lack of academic preparation, competing personal and work demands, and economic stress make earning a degree difficult for many. As part of…

As college promise programs proliferate across the United States with noted intentions to promote access through increased affordability, it is necessary to understand the relationship between these programs and other forms of financial aid, including loans. Using federal, state, and program-level data, we leverage a natural experiment to estimate…

This article explores the historical importance of argument and self-learning within the structure of liberal arts education and how these can be applied to the design of university and community college general education classes to help students develop skills in effective communication, critical thinking and self-learning. Research in classical…

This dissertation explored what contributed to Southeast Asian students' persistence in an urban community college in the Midwest. A qualitative case study was used to reveal how Southeast Asian students perceived personal and educational experiences and how those experiences created an impact on their persistence. This project addressed the lack…

Community college presidential tenure has consistently declined for decades, which leaves scholars to question what factors are associated with this phenomenon. While there are many potential reasons for presidential turnover, this study seeks to understand how presidential fit is associated with increased presidential departure. Guided by the…

The Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program provides legal protection to enhance access for a narrow subcategory of undocumented immigrants. Following the presidential election, a series of actions have pushed many of these recipients into limbo, leading to uncertainty and fear for these young students. This case study examined the…

This qualitative study explored the systemic barriers to hiring faculty of color in the community college. A phenomenological design was used to examine the community college full-time faculty search process from the perspective of 10 full-time faculty of color who actively participate in racial justice advocacy. The participants represented five…

The goal of this narrative research is to contribute to the body of literature regarding African American males in higher education. This research challenges the deficit majoritarian narrative that historically has perpetuated a negative image of the contributions African American males bring to education. As a conceptual framework, Critical Race…

Urban community colleges serve as an agent of democracy, provide open access, and a variety of affordable program options, which attracts a rising number of African American single mothers. The attempt to manage the tremendous responsibility of child rearing single handedly, while in college, increases the dropout rate and is a known factor that…

STEM attrition is an issue of concern that impacts the economy of the United States. According to the Trump administration (2018), investing in STEM education is essential for the workforce of the future. Community colleges play a key role in addressing STEM's workforce needs. This research examines the application of the learning theories of…