Increasingly, a majority of postsecondary students are following nonlinear paths in the pursuit of educational and career goals. Practical steps are described that can be taken to track and evaluate the success of such students. A particularly promising practice involves data sharing and exchanges with state agencies and other higher education…

In response to increasing assessment and accountability requirements, Mt. Hood Community College, in Oregon, developed an assessment matrix specifying major accountability requirements and established a calendar to help departments understand the necessary sequences for fulfilling these requirements. The matrix lists the various measures or…

This essay builds on and extends scholarly discussion of the role and functions of Institutional Research (IR), especially with regard to the community college. As institutional "conscience," the primary value of IR is assisting in the identification of organizational weaknesses and challenges and helping to convert weaknesses into strengths and…

The changing nature of institutional research due to the expanded use and capabilities of information technology was explored through a regional survey of institutional researchers, who indicated their involvement in information systems development. Results were analyzed for all respondents, by type of institution (four-year versus two-year), and…

The characteristics of application generators and the reasons they are and will be used increasingly in collegiate institutional research are addressed. The incorporation of application generators within a total institutional data and information processing network is also outlined. The analysis considers the often noted "gap" between…

The role of institutional research in the creation and operation of an information center is discussed, along with the ways in which the spread of information centers within higher education is likely to influence the future development of institutional research. Forces leading to the emergence of information centers are advances in computer…

To determine the perceived needs among faculty for professional development, a survey was conducted of 165 faculty in 13 divisions. Questionnaires were returned by 129, or 78% with over 50% responding from each division. Among the results were the following: (1) the most widely used (93%) professional development resources, inservice sessions, was…

The "Guided Studies" program at a comprehensive community college was evaluated. The program was designed to restrict student course enrollment until academic deficiencies could be erased through successful completion of courses in developmental education. The persistence rates and academic performance of students placed in the program…

The process and findings of the evaluation of seven of the 52 vocational preparatory programs at Mount Hood Community College are described with a focus on demonstrating the feasibility, utility, and problems associated with making program evaluations meet both internal needs and federal requirements. Summaries of data collected are provided in…

The process, findings, and utility of an institutionwide budget unit analysis conducted at a community college during the 1979-80 year are described. Financial projections were developed by applying a modified version of the Information Exchange Procedures Model, and evaluation data were derived from the system developed to meet the requirements…

The evolution of the Mt. Hood Community College (Oregon) effort to analyze institutional policies affecting high-risk students is chronicled from the early 1980s to the present, from the initial findings of program ineffectiveness to program improvement. Chronicle includes successes and limitations of several early-change strategies, and factors…

Increasing recent research on nontraditional students has uncovered anomalies and inconsistencies in Tinto's model of student persistence patterns, especially with regard to academic and social integration. It is hypothesized that these inconsistencies are a product of the heterogeneous nature of nontraditional student populations, combined with…

This case study of a student retention program for at-risk students at Mount Hood Community College (Oregon) contends that student retention programs are seldom as holistic and comprehensive as intended. The study analyzed three areas: the design and implementation of a comprehensive program to improve student retention; the organizational…

As part of a project at Mount Hood Community College (MHCC) to create Program Assessment Documents for instructional and student service programs, this report focuses on the medical secretary program. With an initial section narrating study findings, the document includes five sections. Part II examines program size in terms of (1)…