ERIC Number: EJ1301133
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2021-Aug
Pages: 21
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-1521-0251
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Incorporating High-Impact Practices for Retention: A Learning Community Model for Transfer Students
Thomas, Devon Thacker; Walsh, Eileen T.; Torr, Berna M.; Alvarez, Anthony S.; Malagon, Maria C.
Journal of College Student Retention: Research, Theory & Practice, v23 n2 p243-263 Aug 2021
Transfer from one institution to another is increasingly common for students during the course of their higher education careers. The number of students moving from community colleges to four-year universities continues to rise. Transfer students report experiences of alienation, isolation, and other personal and academic challenges. To address this problematic transition, the authors propose a cohort-based learning community model that incorporates high-impact practices of first-year experience programs demonstrated to improve retention. These include enhanced advising, project-based student collaboration, application of knowledge across courses, collaboration of core faculty, peer support, and required participation in campus activities. This model, applicable to any major and particularly useful for those comprised heavily of upper division courses, is applied in a Sociology department. Findings from the pilot study suggest that students experience increased sense of community, improved academic and social integration, and great promise for retention. Ultimately, the comprehensive model and assessment plan detailed in this article can be implemented in a similar manner across disciplines and universities for a variety of student populations of concern.
Descriptors: School Holding Power, Graduation Rate, Communities of Practice, Models, Program Effectiveness, College Transfer Students, Undergraduate Students, Community Colleges, Minority Serving Institutions, Sociology, Majors (Students), Transitional Programs, First Year Seminars, Academic Advising, Student Projects, Extracurricular Activities, Sense of Community, Peer Relationship, Social Support Groups, Grouping (Instructional Purposes)
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A