The purpose of this quantitative correlational-predictive study was to examine Physical Activity and BMI as potential predictors of Academic Performance among community college students at a community college in Southern California. The foundation for this study was provided by physical activity, BMI, social cognitive theory of self-regulation,…

This dissertation is composed of three studies linking general education astronomy to student performance, course-taking, graduation, and identity. The first study examined demographic and academic predictors of astronomy performance among a cohort of N=1,909 community college students enrolled in astronomy courses in a large suburban community…

Community colleges enroll millions of students across the United States in urban, suburban and rural communities. Specifically designed to address the unique needs of the communities they serve, these institutions are often the engines of the local economy and at times the only pathway out of poverty. Community colleges strive to uphold their…

This dissertation investigates the dynamics of adult online learners within an urban community college setting, exploring relationships between specific adult learning predictor variables and online course grades. Understanding these relationships is crucial for informing educational policies, designing effective online learning environments, and…

The purpose of this non-experimental, comparative, quantitative study was to determine if there were significant differences between the perceptions of male and female community college students about the importance of sense of community (SoC) in online classes and sense of instructor presence (IP) at eight southern, public, community colleges…

The purpose of this quantitative correlational-predictive study was to examine Resiliency and Grit as potential predictors of Academic Success among nontraditional students at a community college in Arizona. The foundation for this study was provided by resilience, grit, and self-determination theories and related concepts. The study was conducted…

Adult students constitute a large and increasing proportion of community college enrollment across the United States. For personal, economic, and sociological reasons, the success of these students is vital to the students themselves, the institutions they attend, and society as a whole. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine results from…

Despite efforts to place students on a guided pathway to successful completion, nearly one in five students who do not persist at community colleges complete 75% or more of the credit threshold for a degree before leaving the institution (Johnstone, 2018). In Texas, according to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Members (THECB, 2020),…

The purpose of this study was to examine what influence, if any, input and environmental variables have on students' initial sense of belonging within the first 3 weeks of their community college experience. Using Strayhorn's model of students' initial sense of belonging and Astin's student involvement theory, data from the 2018-2020 Survey of…

Though online course offerings have expanded to meet the needs of student access in the context of funding constraints, research has shown worse student outcomes in online classes, with significant inequities by race and ethnicity. Consequently, the proliferation of online course offerings could have vast implications for equity in the California…

Standard assessments of cognitive ability have been the preferred method of assessing the probability of student achievement at community colleges, but there is a growing trend in the use of noncognitive factors to assess student potential. Factors related to a student's race/ethnicity and family income have been shown to be correlated with…

Veterans and students who are currently members of the U.S. Armed Forces have a long and rich history with higher education. Despite this, little quantitative research exists that examines factors that influence academic outcomes and provide results that can be acted upon by institutions, such as community colleges, to improve the academic…

This study investigates student perceptions of artificial intelligence (AI). The study analyzed four independent variables -- age, gender, school, and employment -- to predict students' level of readiness to adopt AI within an educational setting. Using an instrument with two constructs, data was collected from a diverse, multicultural group of…

Background: Due to the high incidence of running-related injuries (RRIs), there is a need to better understand factors contributing to the prevalence of RRIs in community college (CC) women's cross-country runners when research is lacking in CC intercollegiate athletics. The limited focus on CC athletics has left numerous crucial questions about…

This study examines stress and coping strategies among nursing students at a community college in Jamaica. The research focuses on the perceived reasons for stress, its influence on their wellbeing and academic performance, and their strategies to cope. The study used a qualitative approach to answer the research questions: (1) What are the…