Each year nearly 70% of community college students nationwide are required to enroll in non-credit developmental education courses because they scored below college-ready on a placement test in reading, writing, and/or mathematics. Yet, prior research has demonstrated that these placement tests tend to inaccurately place students into courses that…

This study explores the sophomore year, a critical juncture during the undergraduate experience with notable attrition rates. By dissecting environmental, academic, and situational determinants, this study provides insightful perspective by delving into the student narrative, enriching the existing literature. Employing semi-structured interviews,…

The study explored the relationship between how many student success programs and which programs first-year students of color at the University of Kansas (KU) participated in and how this was related to outcomes of retention to sophomore-year and first-year GPA. The study used data from the University of Kansas of students of color who…

In the United States, many actors are pushing for the use of grade point average (GPA) as the main placement tool for gatekeeper math and English courses for community college students (Quarles, 2022; Scott-Clayton, 2018; Turk, 2017). One community college system (pseudonymously, SXCC) in a New England state has begun placing students in initial…

This study aimed to investigate the underlying mechanisms through which social media (SNS) addiction influences college students' academic performance. We developed an integrated model of the relationship between SNS addiction and academic performance based on the dual-systems theory. A total of 251 college students participated in this study.…

While there is a growing body of literature related to the benefits of participation in career and technical education (CTE) in high school, there remains a dearth of causal work in this area. Relying on administrative data from Baltimore City Public Schools, which uses a ranking system with a strict cut score to assign students into CTE-focused…

Background: Low food security and poor mental health are a persistent concern for college students. Objective: Examine how food security and mental health are associated with college student's grade point average (GPA). Methods: American College Health Association (ACHA)-National College Health Assessment III survey data Spring 2020 of students…

Objective: To assess how living arrangements influence lifestyle habits and behaviors that impact the health and academic achievement of students. Participants: 876 undergraduate students at a university in Florida. Methods: Students in all colleges were invited to participate in an anonymous survey. The survey was comprised of questions based on…

Despite lack of standardization, high school grade-point average (HSGPA) is frequently the best single predictor of first-year postsecondary GPA (FYGPA). This study evaluated the extent to which HSGPA reflected standardized test scores, social-emotional learning (SEL) competencies, demographics, and high-school characteristics. Dominance analysis…

Completion of remedial mathematics has been identified as one of the keys to college success. However, completion rates in remedial mathematics have been low and are of much debate across America. This study leverages machine learning techniques in trying to predict and understand completion rates in remedial mathematics. The purpose of this study…

Transfer students comprise half of all undergraduate students, yet their educational experiences may differ in meaningful ways from those of traditional students. Importantly, the transfer student population is diverse and not monolithic. Achievement emotions, which occur in an iterative pattern with past experiences informing current and future…

Almost all we know about student-athletes and their college experience comes from research on NCAA student athletes. However, there is a sizable portion of student-athletes competing at non-NCAA collegiate levels that we know very little about. Additionally, few studies have looked at how certain stressors relate to sport enjoyment, and none have…

Recent research has shown the use of standardized placement testing has caused more students to place incorrectly into developmental education due to the narrow and rigid cut scores. Placing unnecessarily into developmental education can be costly for both the student and the institution and cause negative emotional effects that may lead students…

Despite a burgeoning literature on first-generation college student success, little is known about how the presence of first-generation or continuing-generation peers may facilitate desired outcomes among first-generation students. Moreover, two theoretical traditions lead to contrasting predictions about the potential impact of the representation…

Using data from the Wabash National Study of Liberal Arts Education, this study examined non-native English-speaking (NNES) students on selected college experiences and outcomes. The results suggested that NNES students were less likely to have close relationships with faculty and satisfying relationships with peers. They also experienced greater…