ERIC Number: ED662199
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2024
Pages: 145
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-3840-4044-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Securing Admission: A Holistic Single Case Study Standardizing the Pathway for Transfer Students from a Rhode Island Community College to a Four-Year University
Taylor E. Hough
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Baylor University
Although 80% of students who enroll in a community college intend to transfer, less than 35% complete the transfer within six years (Barshay, 2020; Cepeda et al., 2021; Jabbar et al., 2020; Jenkins & Fink, 2015). The demand for college-educated workers has increased, creating a gap in the job market and impacting the economy. As the need for college education workers increases, those who do not have a degree are left behind (Pew Research Center, 2016). Rhode Island has the highest rate in the United States for enrolling 18-24-year-olds in post-secondary education. Yet, only half of the enrolled are completing degrees (Ma et al., 2019).This qualitative, holistic single case study examined the gaps in transfer knowledge and perceived capital available at a Rhode Island Community College to transfer to a four-year university successfully. The study used Frankie Santos Laanan's Transfer Student Capital Framework to guide the study. There were three data sources: archived documents, questionnaires, and semi-structured interviews with five students from a Rhode Island community college who transferred to Small State Technical Institute. Three themes emerged from the data: information accessibility, support, and motivation. First, students needed more access to information about transfer credits, financial aid impact, and the advisors at the community college. Second, during the transfer process, students sought support from family and friends, community college advisors, and four-year university admissions officers. Third, students were motivated to earn a degree, accomplish goals, and provide for their families. I made recommendations for three groups: four-year university admissions personnel, community college advisors, and community college students. The recommendations included creating transfer-friendly websites and hosting transfer days for prospective students. For community colleges, students should be required to meet with community college advisors to meet with all students to provide course and transfer guidance that aligns with their future academic plans. With the increased demand for college-educated workers, supporting community college transfer students to degree completion is crucial for economic impact. [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: College Transfer Students, Community College Students, Success, Student Experience, Technical Institutes, Access to Information, Social Support Groups, Student Motivation, Academic Persistence, College Students
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Rhode Island
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A