ERIC Number: ED646129
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2022
Pages: 217
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-8340-4126-9
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
"We Are Not Eighteen": Welcoming Non-Traditional Students on Campus
Ashley Shivar
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, East Carolina University
Non-traditional students are quickly becoming the majority on college campuses, with three-fourths of campus populations fitting the definition of a non-traditional student. However, many institutions still lack a tailored orientation model for non-traditional students. This leads to the marginalization of adult learners, distance education students, transfer students, and veterans, creating an "outsider" mentality. This outsider mentality can affect non-traditional student success, causing these students to stop-off or drop-out completely. While much research and program assessment has been conducted around first-generation students and their lack of collegiate knowledge, the same level of attention has not been paid to non-traditional students. Like other four-year institutions, East Carolina University (ECU) focuses orientation efforts on the traditional student population; therefore, this mixed methods study evaluated the current online orientation program for transfer students at East Carolina University using a modified version of Cuseo's (2015) Self-Assessment Model for Evaluating Orientation Programs in order to expand the discussion around non-traditional student success. The most effective methods for addressing the diversity of incoming non-traditional students were explored through quantitative surveys, semi-structured individual interviews, and focus groups with current non-traditional students attending East Carolina University. The study concluded with suggestions for a new online orientation model specifically catered to non-traditional students. Findings from this project can assist Student Transitions staff at ECU in creating a new online orientation model specifically catered to the growing non-traditional student population, as well as provide suggestions for other four-year institutions' orientation programs. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Nontraditional Students, College Students, Adult Students, School Orientation, Student Adjustment
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Adult Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: North Carolina
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A