ERIC Number: ED652424
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020
Pages: 90
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: 979-8-5699-2448-6
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
I Belong at Harper College: A Qualitative Case Study on Fostering Community College Students' Sense of Belonging through a First-Year Seminar Course
Emily Reabe
ProQuest LLC, Ed.D. Dissertation, Northern Illinois University
While community college is often seen as an avenue that provides access to higher education to a greater part of the population, community colleges have struggled with improving retention, persistence, and degree completion. Research highlights the importance of helping students develop a sense of belonging at the institution, which has been found to improve retention, persistence, and degree completion. One avenue to do so may be through requiring students to enroll in a First Year Seminar course. This qualitative case study explored the way in which a First Year Seminar course may influence students' sense of belonging at a community college. Using multiple methods of data collection including an anonymous post-course reflection survey, participant observations, document analysis of course assignments, and interviews, this study found that the First Year Seminar contributed to a students' sense of belonging in a variety of ways: (a) the First Year Seminar instructor created an atmosphere where students felt comfortable and were not afraid to ask questions; (b) the First Year Seminar ensured that students connected with their advisors, which was important to making them feel supported on campus; c) activities which focused on introducing resources allowed students to get to know campus better; (d) students were able to explore their strengths, which helped them feel more confident in their ability to succeed in college; and (e) students were able to connect with peers in the First Year Seminar which fostered their sense of belonging at the institution. In addition, while the First Year Seminar contributed to students' sense of belonging, students also shared the importance of other instructors and staff members being caring and supportive to fostering their sense of belonging at the community college. Implications for practice and future research are discussed. [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://www.proquest.com/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]
Descriptors: Community College Students, Community Colleges, Student College Relationship, First Year Seminars, Program Effectiveness, College Faculty, Teacher Influence, Student Attitudes, Faculty Advisers, Peer Relationship
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Publication Type: Dissertations/Theses - Doctoral Dissertations
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education; Two Year Colleges
Audience: N/A
Language: English
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