In this article, the Education Studies Department (ESD) at Berea College shares lessons learned while becoming an inclusive, justice-focused, and democratic Education Preparation Program (EPP) together with its "Community of Teachers" (CoT). ESD values diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEI+B) and democratic relationships.…

The topic of late registration in higher education is a term that must be clearly defined to properly compare and contrast academic success metrics. A standard definition for late registration has yet to be agreed upon. For the purposes of this mixed methods action research study, late registration is enrollment in a course 10 days preceding the…

The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) annually produces a report examining degree and credential production in Kentucky in the previous academic year (July 1 through June 30) and over time. Using data from the Kentucky Postsecondary Education Data System (KPEDS), the report details the number and types of credentials earned at…

Although the traditional 16-week schedule is widely used in higher education, time-compressed courses are increasingly being recognized as an approach to improve student success rates and expedite credential completion, thereby facilitating entry into the workforce. However, there is limited research to establish that the reported advantages of…

There is a defined need to provide accessible and effective professional development for 4-H educators. Lesson study is a Community of Practice-based approach to educator professional development. Prior research has shown lesson study to be effective with 4-H staff, adult volunteers, and teen volunteers. This inquiry, a multisite case study, was…

Many Kentucky students utilize community college for required coursework as an affordability strategy. Improving the transfer process is very important for retention and completion, especially among low-income students, first-generation college students, and students from underrepresented groups. The Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education was…

An aging population coupled with changing technology means there are growing dentistry needs across the country--and community colleges are there to train the workforce. Dental accreditations and degrees are currently available at two-year colleges nationwide--including the farthest reaches of Alaska--pointing to an industry very much in demand.…

The Kentucky Community and Technical Colleges System (KCTCS) began hiring diversity officers throughout the system in the mid-2000s. These highest-ranking diversity officers (HRDO) on each campus led their college's efforts to comply with the statewide diversity policy. A phenomenological approach was used to discover how former HRDOs in KCTCS…

This study informs the field of education of the importance of providing a wide variety of extracurricular activities for students and its effect on students' community leadership development. Data were collected from college students (N = 705) and analyzed using quantitative methodology. Results indicate that high involvement level students…

This study examines the work completed by a regional, comprehensive university's principal preparation program in redesigning their curriculum for greater coherence. Their process for identifying equity as a program theme and explicitly addressing learning related to program themes is described. Key steps in the process include: (1) collaborating…

This study examines the root causes of student success and struggle in the first semester of a community college tuition-free promise program. The research is set within the context of the Gateway2NKU River Cities Promise Program (RCPP), a partnership between Gateway Community and Technical College (Gateway) and Northern Kentucky University (NKU)…

Given the critical role of mentoring in the success of African American males in college, it is essential to gain a deeper understanding of how mentoring programs can best support African American male students and what elements contribute to their success (Henry, 2021). Recognizing that mentoring significantly influences the retention, academic…

Community engagement and philanthropic learning have gained traction in university settings as a method to help prepare students for both workplace competency and citizenship. Experiential student philanthropy is a learning method that offers students an opportunity to examine community and social issues and nonprofit organizations while providing…

In response to rising college tuition and student debt over the past three decades, some institutions, localities, and states have implemented a range of tuition-free promise programs to promote college access and success. Programs vary widely in their design features, including eligibility stipulations and award structure. I explore the growing…

Gateway courses are foundational, college-level courses that apply to a student's program of study or to a college's general education requirements. These courses are typically considered first-year or lower-division courses and serve as a basis for more advanced studies. Research has demonstrated that completing gateway courses in two key…