Research on student development has shown positive effects of institutional smallness on most student outcome variables. However, no clear relationship of ruralness to these outcome measures has been shown. The limited literature on small/rural community colleges includes two areas relevant to student development: college characteristics, which…

Chief student personnel administrators for small/rural community colleges were surveyed to compare their student personnel programs to a major student development model, so as to provide for a basis for comparison of small college student personnel programs. A profile of chief personnel administrators of small colleges is described. (RC)

Discusses the characteristics of small colleges, which comprise over half the American postsecondary institutions. Describes the advantages of attending a small college and discusses student development as it relates to a small college setting. Challenges facing the small college are outlined, and goals and suggestions are offered. (Author/JAC)